BEMIDJI STATE UNIVERSITY The publication for alumni and friends of Bemidji State University Winter 2009

Around the Block Professor Explores the Art of Contradiction Establishing a Foothold Grad Connects with Entertainment Industry

ike Father, L like Daughter Leaving a Legacy Two stalwarts of the BSU family passed away this fall, giving us reason to pause and recount their legacy. Dr. Harold Peters, a professor emeritus of biology, died on November 10 at the age of 99. Former wrestling and football coach Chet Anderson, professor emeritus of physical education, died on November 19. He was 90. They had a combined service to Bemidji State of over 50 years. Although coming from different areas of campus, coach Anderson and scientist Dr. Peters shared personal qualities that serve as standard-bearers for us today. They were passionate about their work, whether it was charting a course to conference champion- ships or conducting fieldwork to track the lifecycles and habits of insects. They inspired others – sharing their enthusiasm, knowledge, and wisdom with not only their budding charges, but also their colleagues and community members. They were com- passionate, showing a personal interest in the lives of those they coached and taught. More important than the campus facilities that bear their names are the people whose lives they shaped. Some followed in their footsteps and became coaches and professors. All have led richer lives having had them as teachers, colleagues, and friends. Their passion, inspiration, and compassion will continue to have an impact at Bemidji State University for years to come. Bemidji State University Dr. Jon E. Quistgaard, President COVER STORY (Page 8) Trudy Rautio leveraged college funds from her father into a stellar career that’s led her to the executive vice president and chief financial officer post at Twin Cities-based Carlson. Contents 2 Campus Notes 5 Like Father, Like Daughter 8 Around the Block 9 Seniors to Watch 12 Establishing a Foothold 14 Alumni Halls of Fame 16 Class Notes 20 BSU Foundation Annual Report Report of Gifts...... 20 Affirming Dreams. . . . . 21. Giving Levels...... 22 Scholarship Pays Forward . 24 Tragedy into Triumph. . . 26. Life-Changing Legacy. . . . 28 30 Calendar

Vol. 24, No. 1, Winter 2009

Horizons is produced by the Communi- cations and Marketing Office, Alumni Asso- ciation, and BSU Foundation at Bemidji State University . It is published three times per year and distributed free to BSU alumni, students, faculty, staff, and friends . Direct comments to horizons@bemidjistate .edu or 1-888-234-7794 .

Editor Rose Jones Alumni Director Marla Patrias Bemidji State University Foundation Executive Director Rob Bollinger Designer Kathy Berglund Photography Director John Swartz Contributing Photographers The Johnson Group Marketing, Zach Zimny Contributing Writers Andy Bartlett, Sarah Colburn, Brad Folkestad, Al Nohner, Cindy Serratore Editorial Assistance Valerie Mason, Al Nohner, Peggy Nohner, The Johnson Group Marketing Production Assistance The Johnson Group Marketing Editorial Board: Andy Bartlett, Rob Bollinger, Joann Fredrickson, Rose Jones, Keith Marek, John “Tom” Murphy, Marla Patrias

A member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, Bemidji State University is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer and educator. This document is available in alternative formats to individuals with disabilities by calling 1-800-475-2001 or 218-755-3883. BSU Communications & Marketing 08-228

Certified Fiber Sourcing www.sfiprogram.org ampus CNotes Study Shows Minnesotans Support Lake Cleanup Not surprisingly, Minnesotans love their lakes . They’re also willing to pay to keep those lakes pristine, according to a Bemidji State study published in November . Results of the research indicate that Minnesotans are willing to pay to restore lakes impaired by pollution . Dr . Pat Welle, professor of economics and environmental studies at BSU and the project’s principal researcher, along with Jim Hodgson, Upper Mississippi River Basin coordinator for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), conducted the study . Funds to support the research were provided by the MPCA in collaboration with the Sauk River Watershed District Sustainability and the city of Lake Shore . Coordinator Hired Conducted on the Lake Margaret-Gull Lake Watershed near Brainerd and the Sauk River Bemidji State’s newly hired sustain- Chain of Lakes between Richmond and Cold Spring, the research determined the willingness ability coordinator is no stranger to of property owners to pay for lake restoration and their preferred pollution control manage- campus or to today’s environmen- ment methods . tal issues . As Erika Bailey-Johnson A property owner’s willingness to contribute financially to lake restoration was closely related began working on her master’s in to the perceived environmental and economic benefits of lake cleanup . By identifying the eco- environmental studies, she became nomic value, as well as the environmental benefits of lake restoration, researchers hope to help active on the University’s Environ- guide policy makers looking for the best ways to reduce the impact of lake pollution and the mental Advocacy Committee, serv- cost of implementing those methods . ing as its co-chair in 2005-06 . Since Although the study indicated a willingness to financially support cleanup efforts, it also identi- 2006, she also has been an adjunct fied an equity issue among restoration supporters . instructor, teaching the People and the Environment course . She was “While survey participants indicated a willingness to help pay for cleanup of the lakes, they also named sustainibility coordinator in wanted those responsible for the degradation and the owners and lake users who benefit from August . the cleanup to pay their share as well,” Welle said . Besides her work on campus, Bai- To download a copy of the study, go to: http://www .pca .state .mn .us/publications/wq-b4-01 pdf. ley-Johnson also has been active in the Bemidji community, serv- President Signs Climate Commitment ing on the Bemidji Area Climate Change Coalition since 2006 . She Bemidji State University President Dr . Jon E . Quistgaard signed the American College and has helped the coalition organize University Presidents Climate Commitment in ceremonies at the American Indian Resource and coordinate a variety of com- Center in November . His signature added Bemidji State to a growing roster of nearly 600 col- munity events to educate and moti- leges and universities nationwide that have committed to becoming carbon neutral . vate area residents on the effects of The American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment addresses global warm- global climate change . ing by garnering institutional pledges to neutralize greenhouse gas emissions . With higher edu- She is active in a number of state cation’s involvement, the goal is to accelerate research and educational efforts to re-stabilize and national environmental groups, the earth’s climate . including the Upper Midwest Asso- By signing the commitment, presidents agree to eliminate their campuses’ greenhouse gas emis- ciation for Campus Sustainability, sions over time . This involves completing an emissions inventory; setting a two-year target date the North American Association for and milestones for becoming climate neutral; taking immediate short-term action to reduce Environmental Education, and the greenhouse gas emissions; integrating sustainability into the curriculum and overall educational Minnesota Association for Environ- experience; and making the action plan, inventory, and progress reports publicly available . mental Education, where she serves on the board . Bailey-Johnson has a bachelor of arts degree in biology from the University of Minnesota, Morris, and a master’s in environmental studies from Bemidji State .

Erika Bailey-Johnson, sustainability coordinator, watches as President Jon Quistgaard signs climate commitment.

2 Bemidji State University Horizons Horizons Bemidji State University 3 Campus Notes

Dunn Named Interim Dean for Arts and Science Dr . Elizabeth Dunn was named interim dean of the University’s College of Arts and Sciences . Her one-year appoint- ment began Sept . 3 . Dunn first joined the University in 1999 as an assistant professor in the Trustees Okay Going Forward on Events Center Lease history department, where she teaches early American and American intel- In November, the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) lectual history . Promoted to associate system authorized Bemidji State University to continue its negotiations with the City of Bemi- professor in 2003, she earned the rank dji on a lease agreement for the proposed Bemidji Regional Events Center . of full professor in 2006 . Dunn also Under the terms of a lease agreement, Bemidji State will become the anchor tenant for the has provided departmental leadership, events center, which is scheduled to open in January 2011 . Such an agreement will make the serving as interim chair in 2003-04 events center the home of Bemidji State’s NCAA Division I men’s and women’s ice hockey and department chair from 2004-06 . programs . Besides her departmental roles, she The men’s ice hockey program is a member of the College Hockey America conference, while headed the Bemidji State’s Center for its women’s program competes in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association . Professional Development from 2005- 2008 . Bemidji State University and the City of Bemidji signed a memorandum of understanding last winter that outlined the terms and conditions required before entering into a formal lease agree- She has been actively involved in the ment . Under the agreement, the events center will provide the University with a 4,000-seat campus community, serving as presi- arena, which will include no less than 25 private luxury suites and 250 club-level seats . dent of the Bemidji State University Faculty Association from 2006-08 Once finalized, terms of the lease are subject to approval by the Bemidji City Council and the and as its vice president from 2004- MnSCU chancellor or his designee . 06 . Dunn was also the secretary and The MnSCU Board of Trustees must approve all contracts, including real estate leases, with a a board member of the system-wide value greater than $2 million . Bemidji State University’s 20-year lease with the City of Bemidji Inter-Faculty Association for two years . is expected to be valued at approximately $4 5. million over the term of the lease . She served on its personnel committee For more events center details go to: http://www .ci .bemidji .mn .us in 2007-08 . In addition to her interim dean respon- BSU Welcomes Russian Nursing Educators sibilities, Dunn currently co-chairs Bemidji State’s continuing accreditation The Department of Nursing hosted a delegation of nursing educators from Russia this fall in an process through the Higher Learning exchange program showcasing the University’s baccalaureate nursing education program . The Commission (HLC) . She earned the visit was made possible by Open World, a program designed to enhance understanding and commission’s peer reviewer status this capabilities for cooperation between the United States and the Eurasian and Baltic nations . year, qualifying her to serve on HLC The delegates were involved in a variety of community activities during their stay in Bemidji, review teams that assess colleges and which included two trips to campus . The delegates toured BSU’s nursing facilities, met faculty universities undergoing accreditation and staff, and took a comprehensive look at the nursing program . Their visit included curricu- self-studies . lum meetings, a discussion of the accreditation process used for nursing programs at American Prior to arriving in Bemidji, Dunn universities, and meetings with students . While in Bemidji, the delegates also participated in a spent five years as an assistant profes- community health practice visit and toured the new simulation laboratory being constructed sor at Baylor University in Waco, TX, in Memorial Hall . and four years as an assistant professor at Auburn University, Montgomery, in BSU Ranks As Midwest Tier 1 School Montgomery, AL . She was a visiting Bemidji State University rose to Tier 1 status among Midwestern master’s institutions in U.S. lecturer at Eastern Illinois University News and World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges 2009” survey . Bemidji State was ranked No . 67 in the fall of 1989 and at the Univer- in the region, tying with four other institutions . sity of Illinois in 1988-89 . Master’s universities are defined in the rankings as institutions offering a full range of under- Dunn earned her bachelor of arts graduate programs and some master’s programs, but few doctoral programs . The rankings split degree from Purdue University in 572 universities into four geographical regions – North, South, Midwest, and West . 1981 and her master of arts in Ameri- can studies from Purdue in 1983 . She Bemidji State was one of eight schools in Minnesota appearing in the Tier 1 regional lineup . earned her doctorate degree in Ameri- The other schools were Hamline University, College of St . Catherine, Bethel University, Col- can history from the University of Illi- lege of St . Scholastica, Augsburg College, University of Minnesota-Duluth, and Winona State nois in 1990 . University . The U.S. News and World Report survey ranks schools based on peer assessment, retention rates, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources, graduation rate, and alumni giving rate .

2 Bemidji State University Horizons Horizons Bemidji State University 3 ampus C otes Champions On and Off the Field

N Anoka and offensive tackle Nathan Mahlik from Two Rivers, WI, were named to the second-team offense . Linebacker Andrew Eagan of Sauk Village, IL; wide receiver George Kadlec of Chicago, IL; linebacker Luke Knutson of Bagley; safety Jason Kunz of Esko, and wide receiver Andrew Schultz of Grand Forks, ND, were named honor- able mention all-conference . Volleyball Finishes Second Season under Bitter The BSU volleyball team, playing what’s thought to be the toughest conference in Ironi Paces BSU Cross NCAA Division II, completed its second season under head coach Laurie Bitter . The Country Team team compiled a 7-25 record, including Genna Ironi, a junior from Sauk Centre, a 3-17 mark against the newly expanded was Bemidji State’s top individual finisher NSIC . The Beavers played eight matches at both the NSIC Championships, held in Ashlee Ellefsen Terrell Phelps against nationally ranked opponents, Aberdeen, SD, in October, and the NCAA including third-ranked Southwest Min- Central Regional, held in Kearney, NE, in nesota State and the nation’s number one November . Including the two championship Football, Soccer Stars Earn team, Concordia-St . Paul . events, Ironi was BSU’s lead finisher three Post-Season Honors times in six meets last season . Sophomore Ashlee Ellefsen, a midfielder Nineteen Athletes on on the BSU soccer team and senior Terrell NSIC Fall Academic Team Phelps, a defensive back on the football team, Women’s Hockey Goalie garnered numerous post-season honors after Bemidji State University placed 19 student- Earns Olympic Spot strong seasons with their respective North- athletes on the 405-member 2008 Fall Aca- ern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) demic All-Northern Sun Intercollegiate In 2010, goaltender Zuzana Tomcikova will sports this fall . Conference Team . become the second BSU women’s hockey The football team paced the fall contin- player to participate in the Olympic games . Ellefsen, from Hugo, was named a 2008 Nina Ziegenhals, who played for Team Ger- Daktronics NCAA Division II Women’s gent, with six players recognized for aca- demic accomplishment . BSU also had five many in the 2002 games in Salt Lake City, Soccer All-America Honorable Mention, UT, was the first . becoming the first player in BSU’s soccer soccer players, five volleyball players, and history to earn the honor . She also became three women’s cross country team members Tomcikova, from Bratislava, Slovakia, back- just the third BSU soccer player to earn a selected to the 2008 squad . stopped a surprising performance by the berth on the Daktronics First-Team All- Sports considered for the fall academic Slovakian National Team at a November Central Region . Leading the Beavers, she team are men’s and women’s cross coun- Olympic qualifying tournament in Bad Tölz, tied for the NSIC lead with 12 goals and tied try, football, women’s soccer, and women’s Germany . She posted shutouts of Germany the school record with seven assists . Her 31 volleyball . and Kazakhstan in the first two qualifying points led the team, while her 79 shots on rounds, helping the Slovakian National goal led the NSIC and tied the BSU single- To be eligible for the Academic All-NSIC Team earn a bid season record . Team, a student-athlete must maintain a to the XXI Winter cumulative grade-point average of 3 .20 or Olympics to be held Along with junior forward Jamie Ford of better, be a member of a varsity traveling in Vancouver, British Edina, Ellefsen was also named to the Third- team, and have reached sophomore aca- Columbia, Canada, Team All-NSIC, while sophomore defen- demic standing at his or her institution with in 2010 . She sat sive player Alysha Domiano of Payton was one full year completed at that institution . out the team’s final named honorable mention all-conference . game against France, Phelps, who was Bemidji State’s lone First- Golf Teams Wrap Up because the team Team All-NSIC North Division honoree, had already qualified was named First-Team All-Super Region 3 by Fall Tournaments for the Olympics . Daktronics, Inc . and was the leading vote- The Bemidji State men’s golf team had a getter among defensive backs . He became successful fall campaign, finishing third at Zuzana Tomcikova just the second Beaver to earn first-team all- the NSIC Championships and fourth at the region honors from Daktronics, Inc . and just NCAA Northwest Regional Champion- the eighth BSU player overall to be honored ship, with Jesse Nelson finishing third at on the all-region team . the NCAA Northwest Regional . During the season, Beaver golfers finished first or The NSIC leader in passes broken up and second individually three times . passes defended, the North Carolina native led a group of 10 Bemidji State All-NSIC The women’s golf team finished tenth at honorees . Linebacker Jake Anderson of Karl- the NSIC Championships to cap a five- stad and defensive end Rob Wills of Roseville event fall campaign . Jenna Schurman was were named to the defensive second team, BSU’s top individual finisher in four of the while quarterback Derek Edholm from team’s five events .

4 Bemidji State University Horizons Horizons Bemidji State University 5 ike Father, L like Lasting Advice aughter

As Trudy Rautio was about to leave for college, her father Dhanded her a $5400 check and a simple piece of advice: “Make it last.”

Rautio’s father, Joe Kocinski, was a logger in International Falls who met the chal- lenges of a harsh climate and demanding work to build his own business, even though he didn’t have a high school diploma . He also proved to his daughter how passion- ately he valued education by taking an extra job, selling fence posts, to fund her college tuition . (Continued on Page 6)

Carlson headquarters in Minnetonka.

4 Bemidji State University Horizons Horizons Bemidji State University 5 Lasting AdviCe (Continued from page 5)

“To think how hard he worked to make that education possible was really hum- bling,” she reflects . “He always viewed education as something vital; it was something that couldn’t be taken away from you .” Rautio not only made her funds last, but also leveraged the education she obtained with those funds to build a stellar career . An executive vice presi- dent and chief financial officer for the Minnetonka-based company, Carlson, she oversees the financial operations of its worldwide businesses in the travel, cruise, hotel, restaurant, and market- ing arenas . Carlson operates in more than 150 countries and, with $30 bil- lion in annual sales, is considered one of the world’s largest privately held corporations . Wise Investment Decisions Like the company she helps lead, her corporate success is no accident . She’s made wise educational invest- ments, beginning with courses at Rainy River Community College, continu- ing through Bemidji State University where she earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting, and ending with an MBA from the University of St . Thomas . Besides using the knowledge gained in the classroom, she’s applied lessons learned from her northern Minnesota upbringing . “There is a work ethic that comes from northern Minnesota that is very special,” she notes . “There is also an integrity and a realness about the value system ”.

“I never expected to be in the job I’m in today. I never expected to travel the world and sit on the Xihao Hu boards of public companies in Europe.”

Trudy Rautio

Horizons Bemidji State University 7 Lasting AdviCe (Continued from page 5)

That work ethic, coupled with her As one of the key decision makers at educational investments, has shaped a Carlson, she has ample opportunity to career she never imagined possible as use her well-honed perspectives and she graduated from BSU 30 years ago . problem-solving abilities . She spends much of her time traveling on com- A Natural Fit pany business in the United States and Her climb to corporate success began abroad . A frequent flyer to Carlson’s when she entered college as an unde- travel division in Paris, she also jour- cided student . A counselor suggested neys to Brussels where Carlson owns accounting as a natural fit for the a large share in the Rezidor Hotel undergraduate who was good in math Group, one of the world’s fastest grow- Despite her many awards, the honor and whose mother did the bookkeep- ing hotel groups . The group operates she cherishes most is the 2007 BSU ing for the family business . mid-range and luxury hotels, including Outstanding Alumni Award in recog- Still, it was an unusual major for a Park Inn, County Inn, Radisson SAS, nition of her personal and professional woman in the 1970s, when only 10 and Regent . accomplishments . percent of graduates in the field were Despite her fast-paced, executive life- “It just is a capstone to career achieve- female . style, Rautio finds time to counsel ments,” she says . “I felt very proud, very “When you start your first job and they others who are on various rungs of humbled by it, and very connected to ask you to make the coffee, that is an the corporate ladder . Mentoring them the school .” in career development, she uses her interesting transition,” Rautio admits as Rautio’s success has come full circle . own experiences and perspectives as she recalls her naivety toward work- Her achievements have made it pos- guideposts . ing in a male-dominated profession . sible to honor her roots and ensure her “I’ve always been focused on the job at “If you can’t offer people a career, you father’s request continues . She recently hand . You just continue to prove your- only offer them a job; you won’t be established an endowment at Bemidji self by the work you do .” able to retain them .” State to honor her father, who passed After earning her degree, she began her As for herself, she scans the past years away 10 years ago . The resulting Joe climb to success in the cost accounting and remains amazed about the way in Kocinski Scholarship will be awarded office of Boise Cascade, even though that which her career unfolded . “I never to an accounting student for the first type of accounting was the last thing she expected to be in the job I’m in today,” time this spring . wanted to do . She then moved to the Rautio admits . “I never expected to And like Rautio, that recipient will have Pillsbury Company for 12 years before travel the world and sit on the boards a chance to grow the investment into joining Jostens, Inc . She was Jostens’ of public companies in Europe .” unimaginable returns . senior vice president of finance when Carlson hired her in 1997 . A Career Capstone As she climbed the corporate ladder, Her achievements have received acco- she reflected on how Bemidji State lades . She was selected 2005 Woman broadened her thinking . In a world that Changemaker by The Business Jour- often sees accounting answers as black nal. The Minneapolis chapter for the and white, Rautio appreciates that BSU National Association of Women Busi- challenged her to grapple with differ- ness Owners gave her the 2004 Cor- ent perspectives and to discover solu- porate Women of Achievement Award . tions among shades of gray . She was honored with a Carlson Fel- lows Award for special achievement “If you don’t have that breadth of per- and, in 2001, was named one of the spective, that grayness can be problem- top women in finance by the newspa- atic for you in coming to decisions,” per, Finance and Commerce . she says .

Horizons Bemidji State University 7 round A The lock Professor Explores the Art of Contradiction B Butch Holden Visual arts professor Butch Holden the studio arts students that everything With his art, Holden contrasts the enjoys contradictions — embracing them they needed to make ceramics could be circle and the square, a theme present and relishing the fertile ground they found in their own backyard and getting in his work since graduate school . He harbor for creativity and broader think- them elsewhere was a waste of energy . also draws inspiration from his passion ing — for himself and for his students . “This really troubled Fred, and he was for gardening, merging his geometric To illustrate his point, he tells of a downcast for a while,” recalls Holden . images into garden-like themes . former student, Fred Yiran of Camer- “Then a few weeks later, Fred was back in Using the gallery as a blank canvas, his oon, who wanted to know the origin the studio as happy as ever making pot- recent show started with one stunning of the clay used in the campus ceram- tery . I asked him if things were back to blue, ripple-patterned bowl . Appearing ics studio . Searching for the answer good, and he said, ‘Yep . I really liked the as if a pebble had been tossed into a together, they learned that the clay and message that Richard Bresnahan gave us, pool, the geometric pattern spread to other resources used for making pot- but I decided my backyard is bigger .’” the bowl’s rim . His compositions pro- tery in the studio came from as nearby Holden smiles in telling the story, noting gressed sequentially to a final mosaic of as the Mississippi River and as far away that Yiran was grappling with viable, yet 10 bowls, wrapping the room in vibrant as India . This discovery pleased Yiran, conflicting, global and local concepts . colors that evoked the notion of an who made pottery and gave it to friends open flower . An inner circle of pedestals “as a piece of the world made in Bemi- Chair of the visual arts department, displayed bowls and vases inspired by dji,” Holden notes . Holden nears his 25th anniversary as a the earthy shapes and colors of seeds, BSU faculty member . He teaches a vari- pods, and bulbs . Hoops and strings, Weeks later, a visiting potter and con- ety of art courses in drawing, ceramics, servationist, Richard Bresnahan, told some suspended from the ceiling, cre- and art foundations . In addition, he ated a sense of other worldliness, a manages the BSU pottery studio with combining of heaven and earth . assistance from his students, who help with everything from preparing the clay Piece by piece, the exhibit captured to firing the kiln . A highly regarded Holden’s personal sense of adventure studio artist, he has paintings and pot- and wonderment of going around the tery in galleries from Grand Marais, block and exploring the world . MI, to Duluth and Minneapolis . “For me, this kind of blending is like In his recent exhibit, “Around the instruments in an orchestra blending, Block,” he explored a contradiction becoming something bigger than an that puzzled and excited him as a boy . individual sound,” says Holden . “It’s that aesthetic tickle, a kind of feeling “I grew up in the suburbs of Golden that you get in your gut when there’s Valley, and it was an adventure to go something pleasing .” around the block,” says Holden . “Yet going around the block is a bit of an As an undergraduate, Holden studied oxymoron .” biology at the University of Minne- sota . He loved the lab work and the

8 Bemidji State University Horizons Horizons Bemidji State University 9 “I grew up in the suburbs of Golden Valley, and it was an adventure to go around the block. Yet going around the block is a bit of an oxymoron.” Butch Holden

what-if questions of science . He took his first drawing class in his junior year and found art irresistible . “I got my foot in, and I wanted to immerse myself further,” recalls Holden . “I discovered art supply stores, and then I started going to galleries and seeing what other artists were doing . This whole new world of human endeavor just opened up for me .” Holden delights in asking thought- provoking questions that inspire his art and challenge his students . Exuding a quiet curiosity, his enthusiasm is con- tagious . He sees the studio as a place where students “own their education,” finding fodder for their artistic expres- sion through self-discovery . Like the scientists he met as an under- graduate, he tirelessly explores his artistic world, melding together new TO forms, concocting new glazes, and experimenting with new firing meth- ods . For Holden, the wonderment and anticipation of what may be just around the corner is foremost on his mind .

See a video of Holden’s recent exhibit at www.bemidjistate.edu/bsutoday Meet Delana, Jane, and Robert. They’re focused, with their sights set high.

8 Bemidji State University Horizons Horizons Bemidji State University 9

Like many other non-traditional arships. She earned three BSU schol- students, Jane Erickson balances her arships, as well as one from Larson- ambitions with other responsibilities. Allen, an accounting firm in Brainerd The 29-year-old wife and mother of where she will begin an internship this two young boys commutes three hours spring. a day roundtrip from her home in Pine With top grades, Erickson has been on River to Bemidji State University, the Dean’s List, received several presi- where she maintains a 4.0 GPA as a dential commendations, and has been senior accounting major. Her goal is to accepted as a member of the Alpha become a certified public accountant. Phi Sigma National Honorary Scho- “When I sit down to do homework, I lastic Society. She is also a member of crank it out,” says Erickson, who typi- the BSU Accounting Club, where she’s cally waits until her sons are tucked in had the opportunity to network with bed before finishing assignments. professional accountants. Her dream of becoming an accoun- Completing her coursework in Decem- tant started four years ago when she ber, Erickson will graduate in May enrolled at Central Lakes College in and will begin the CPA exam in the elana Smith Brainerd and took her first account- summer. In hindsight, she’s glad that ing course. She loved it and found she delayed her college experience so she was good at it. Earning her associ- she could be home with her children ate degree in 2006, she transferred to as babies. She’s also grateful to her sup- Delana Smith believes in inspiring attended functions such as the opening Bemidji State that fall. portive husband, and extended family children to pursue their dreams. After of the National Museum of the Ameri- D for their help with the children when all, her aspirations as a young adult can Indian in Washington, DC, and an “She commutes, she has kids, and she’s she’s needed to get to class or finish blossomed from a childhood dream of arts awards show in Los Angeles. She an outstanding student,” says Sandra her homework. Now, with her young- her own. stayed with the Seminole Tribe of Flor- Bland, professor of accounting, noting est son in kindergarten, she’s ready to ida and visited tribes in the Bahamas that Erickson’s time management skills Smith, an early childhood education launch her career. major at Bemidji State University and and Ecuador. will serve her well. “It’s amazing what she has accomplished.” “Accounting has really changed my an enrolled member of the Red Lake This year, Smith will complete student life and defined my identity, “ says Band of Chippewa Indians, was five teaching and graduate from Bemidji Although Erickson lives in a rural com- Erickson, noting that she’ll always be a years old when she met Miss Indian State in May. munity, she had choices about where World at the Gathering of Nations in to pursue her degree. She decided on mom but can’t wait to add CPA to her “Her understanding of young children New Mexico. Awed by the experience, BSU because it was affordable, had list of qualifications. “I really want to will make her a fine teacher,” says educa- Smith returned to her Twin Cities home smaller class sizes, and offered schol- be the best accountant that I can be.” tion professor Dr. Dan Gartrell, describ- with aspirations that she, too, might ing Smith as a dedicated student who become an Indian princess and ambas- shines quietly and brightly. “Delana will sador for native peoples. touch many lives for the better as she After graduating from Osseo High makes her way in the world.” School in 1999, Smith moved with Smith is an accomplished Native Amer- her parents to the Red Lake Indian ican jingle dancer, past treasurer of the Reservation. She took a job with the BSU Council of Indian Students, an local Head Start program, discovered admissions office tour guide, and a fre- a passion for teaching, and enrolled at quent presenter on native culture. She Northwest Technical College. In 2003, also spends one week each summer at a she graduated with her associate degree Montana camp where she teaches youth and a renewed determination to pursue to balance native traditions within a her dreams. modern world, encouraging them to “I had a 4.0 GPA, and I just felt I excel and to pursue higher education could do anything,” recalls Smith, who, much as she has done at Bemidji State. buoyed by her academic success, “What’s important to me is to leave entered the Miss Indian World compe- young people with hope for their tition and won the crown in 2004. future,” says Smith, who now aspires A year of travel ensued in her role as to fill young learners with enough con- princess. Smith met dignitaries and fidence and self-esteem to pursue their own dreams. Senior10 Bemidji States University To Horizons Wa tch SeniorsJ Toane Wa Ericksontch Seniors To Watch SeniorHorizonss ToBemidji State Wa University t 11 ch

Like many other non-traditional arships. She earned three BSU schol- students, Jane Erickson balances her arships, as well as one from Larson- ambitions with other responsibilities. Allen, an accounting firm in Brainerd The 29-year-old wife and mother of where she will begin an internship this two young boys commutes three hours spring. a day roundtrip from her home in Pine With top grades, Erickson has been on River to Bemidji State University, the Dean’s List, received several presi- where she maintains a 4.0 GPA as a dential commendations, and has been senior accounting major. Her goal is to accepted as a member of the Alpha become a certified public accountant. Phi Sigma National Honorary Scho- “When I sit down to do homework, I lastic Society. She is also a member of crank it out,” says Erickson, who typi- the BSU Accounting Club, where she’s cally waits until her sons are tucked in had the opportunity to network with bed before finishing assignments. professional accountants. Her dream of becoming an accoun- Completing her coursework in Decem- tant started four years ago when she ber, Erickson will graduate in May enrolled at Central Lakes College in and will begin the CPA exam in the Brainerd and took her first account- summer. In hindsight, she’s glad that obert Baril ing course. She loved it and found she delayed her college experience so she was good at it. Earning her associ- she could be home with her children ate degree in 2006, she transferred to as babies. She’s also grateful to her sup- Robert Baril of Warroad started writ- coursework and classroom discussions, Bemidji State that fall. portive husband, and extended family Ring comedy at age 13, always carrying often in small, intimate settings, helped “She commutes, she has kids, and she’s for their help with the children when a notebook to record his ideas. He later him develop better-reasoned views that an outstanding student,” says Sandra she’s needed to get to class or finish gravitated to the social commentary of should serve him well in life. her homework. Now, with her young- Bland, professor of accounting, noting Jon Stewart and Bill Maher, who influ- Baril appreciates how BSU’s small- that Erickson’s time management skills est son in kindergarten, she’s ready to enced his appreciation for satire. launch her career. ness creates greater opportunity for will serve her well. “It’s amazing what “You can disarm with laughter, and it involvement. In addition to his TV she has accomplished.” “Accounting has really changed my can be used to get the truth out,” says show, Baril wrote for the student news- Although Erickson lives in a rural com- life and defined my identity, “ says Baril, who graduated from Bemidji paper; served a term on the Student munity, she had choices about where Erickson, noting that she’ll always be a State University in December with a Senate; wrote and directed a sketch to pursue her degree. She decided on mom but can’t wait to add CPA to her double major in political science and comedy; and acted in several major BSU because it was affordable, had list of qualifications. “I really want to philosophy. He still carries a note- theatrical productions, including his smaller class sizes, and offered schol- be the best accountant that I can be.” book, a tip he gleaned from a Jerry recent role as Socrates in the satire No Seinfeld biography. More Peace. For Baril, comedy is a means to serious Playing Socrates is full of irony for discourse about topics that matter to Baril, who embraces the Oscar Wilde him, particularly politics and current quote, “If you want to tell people the events, although he enjoys delving truth, make them laugh; otherwise, into any topic. He hosted a TV show they’ll kill you.” Socrates missed out at Bemidji State, interviewing faculty on that apt advice, quips Baril. and community members about the Baril’s ideal job would be a non-parti- environment, Iraq, the arts, and other san position in Washington or better current events. He reads broadly and yet, a stint at the White House doing hopes to work through a top-100 list anything to observe the presidency of classic novels and movies. up close. Wherever Baril lands, he “He’s an exceptional student with expects to remain engaged in political diverse interests, multi-talented and discourse and comedy. very bright,” says Dr. Kit Christensen, “I can’t get rid of the entertainer in professor of philosophy. “He thinks me,” says Baril. “If there’s anything deeply about things that a lot of other that I’m black and white on, it’s the people don’t think about.” power of laughter. It’s good for you.” Baril describes the diversity of thinking he has encountered at Bemidji State as a breath of fresh air. He also notes that his Senior10 Bemidji States University To Horizons Wa tch SeniorsJ Toane Wa Ericksontch Seniors To Watch SeniorHorizonss ToBemidji State Wa University t 11 ch stablishing a oothold in Two Careers

E FBSU Grad connects with the entertainment industry Photos courtesy of Lucas James

“Modeling and marketing closely relate to each other. One is selling yourself to a producer or casting agent, and the other is selling a product to a client who trusts you. I’m comfortable doing either.” Lucas James Joyce

12 Bemidji State University Horizons Horizons Bemidji State University 13 oothold in Two Careers

FBSU Grad connects with the entertainment industry

Some people call him Lucas James . Others know him as that charming guy who won a date with Jo De La Rosa through a TV reality show . Classmates and faculty at Bemidji State call him Lucas Joyce . Thousands in Arizona recognize his smiling face . Millions across North America have seen his feet on Nike commercials . Despite the multitude of personas, He admits his favorite role was one “Marketing and Lucas James Joyce remains remarkably where viewers never saw his face . Nike sales are my pas- centered, knowing who he is and what was shooting a commercial with NBA sion,” says Joyce, he wants to achieve . star Steve Nash of the Phoenix Suns . who majored in A 2004 graduate of Bemidji State, Because Nash was available for only marketing communication and mass Joyce is balancing the pains, joys, frus- two hours of shooting, a call went out communication . “I’m successful at it, trations, and rewards of dual careers for a body double who would dribble and it’s where I want to be . as he becomes established profession- crossovers and shoot jump shots for “Modeling and marketing relate well ally and personally in the Phoenix, two days while the camera focused on to each other . One is selling yourself AZ, area . On one hand, he’s pursuing the shoes being worn . to a producer or casting agent, and the marketing jobs where he can promote “It was a rare opportunity,” Joyce other is selling a product to a client corporate images to the public . On the admits . “I got paid to hang around with who trusts you . I’m comfortable doing other hand, he’s attempting to market Steve Nash for a couple of hours and either .” himself as a model and actor in the then play basketball for two days .” He freely admits BSU had a lot to do entertainment industry . Although the competitive world of with his comfort level and self-confi- “I have a strong sense of self, and I’m a modeling and acting now consumes dence . He was well known on campus very motivated person,” Joyce says . “It’s much of his time, Joyce is ready to as a residence hall assistant and later as my nature to go after things if I feel I re-enter the equally competitive mar- an assistant residence hall director . He have the potential to get the job done . keting field . After all, it was this arena was active in campus print and elec- But being a risk taker has given me con- where he first funneled his professional tronic media . He also started a club fidence . Good things have happened, drive after graduating from BSU . to teach hip hop and pop dance that and that makes me more confident .” Heading to Arizona after graduation, became so popular it grew to 50 mem- Joyce’s motivation has made his face, the Wadena native was hired within bers and appeared in the annual campus if not his feet, one of the most recog- a month as an account executive for event, Funtastic Dance Follies . nizable on television and advertising in the Phoenix Mercury of the Wom- “My confidence matured at Bemidji Arizona . He’s participated in advertis- en’s National Basketball Association State,” says Joyce, who understands ing campaigns for the National Bas- (WNBA) and later as a senior account that knowing who you are involves ketball Association (NBA), the Seattle executive for the Phoenix Suns . His understanding how you arrived at that Mariners, CBS, eBay, Massage Envy, job was marketing ticket packages, knowledge . “I went to BSU because it Dillard’s, and Hilton . He won the real- premium seating, and luxury suites . was a small school with small classes ity series “Date My Ex: Jo & Slade” Eventually he became the director of and chances to do things outside of that ended last summer on Bravo TV . marketing for a company that special- the classroom . I saw BSU as an oppor- Competing against 500 audition hope- ized in selling upscale homes . Difficult tunity to make myself well-rounded fuls, he was selected as co-host for economic times hit that business, and while also getting a good education .” the TV show “Arizona Entertainment Joyce began to focus more on his other Weekly .“ opportunities .

12 Bemidji State University Horizons Horizons Bemidji State University 13 2008 ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME

Kevin Kish John Kopari Jim Lawrence Bruce “Buzz” Joe Rezac Kim Roysland Mike Roysland Stephen “Pete” Olson Saxe Maple Grove, MN Thief River Falls, MN Phoenix, AZ East Grand Forks, MN Baxter, MN Fosston, MN Fosston, MN Stacy, MN 4-yr letter winner, 4-yr letter winner, 4-yr letter winner, 3-yr letter winner, 3-yr letter winner, track 4-yr letter winner, 3-yr letter winner, 4-yr letter winner, wrestling football football hockey and field volleyball, team leading basketball wrestling Co-captain 1958 server, and defensive 1975 2nd place nic 1962 and 1965 All-nic 1967 BSU record holder player 1977 NAIA national conference winner selection, defensive All-Conference 1959 MCHT championship during college in: Team leader in championship runner- Naia national tourna- back 4-yr letter winner, team member 440 yd dash, 880 yd Minn-Kota Conference assists - 44 up, 3 yrs relay, and mile relay championship team ment qualifier 1965 All-naia selec- basketball MCHT All-Tournament 1979 naia All-American, tion, defensive back team member member 1976-78 3 yrs 1976 conference All-Conference 1958-59 1963 NAIA district Team captain championship team 1966 signed by & 1959-60 ICHA 2nd team tournament champion- 1977 nic All-Conference nic champion, 4 yrs member Houston Oilers, defen- Team captain, All-Conference team ship team member 2nd place maiaw team member BSU Open champion, sive back 1957-58, 1958-59 & member Winner of 440 yd dash state championship 2 yrs 2nd place team nember Team scoring leader conference winner 3-yr letter winner, 1959-60 1968 and mile relay with 337 season points NDSU Bison Open 3rd place aiaw Region naia national tourna- track 3-yr letter winner, National championship 1963 Naia national champion, 1 yr team member 6 tournament winner ment champion 30 year BSU high baseball meet qualifier team member Team captain junior & naia All-American hurdle record holder Men’s Hockey Team senior year 1979 1978 nic conference 1963 & 1964 NIC 2004 NSC 2nd place winner 1972 nominee – champion high hurdle champion BSU Team Hall of team member Harry F. Bangsberg Fame member Outstanding Athlete NAia national 2nd place maiaw of the Year champion state championship

nic outstanding Dr. Pat Rosenbrock team member 74-7-0 career record wrestler award 2nd place aiaw naia All-American Region 6 tournament Dr. Rosenbrock began her 20 year coaching career at BSU winner team member Team captain - 1977 in 1969. Retiring from coaching in 1989, she continued at Team co-captain & 1978 BSU as a faculty member and fully retired in 2006. She 1978 represented BSU continues to make her home in Bemidji. and USA in NAIA national Head gymnastics coach 1969 -1975 wrestling tour of Japan & Korea Six Minn-Kota Conference championships Three top-three finishes at MAIAW state meet 2008 outstanding Alumni Head track & field coach (13 seasons from 1970-83) MAIAW state championship -1973 & 1974 Col. Randy Anderson graduated from Bemi- Two 2nd place finishes at MAIAW state meet dji State in 1985 with a bachelor’s degree in Three Minn-Kota Conference championships computer science and then was commissioned Coached multiple state title winners & AIAW regional qualifiers a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army’s medical services corps. He is currently commander of Head volleyball coach (12 seasons from 1975-1989) the 32nd Medical Brigade at Fort Sam Hous- Three Minn-Kota Conference championships ton, TX, where he oversees approximately 7,000 Two NAIA District 13 championships army medical personnel. Anderson, who is cur- One 2nd place finish at NAIA District 13 championship rently pursuing a Ph.D. in international health Two 2nd place finishes at Bi-District championship sciences, also holds master’s degrees in military Col. One Northern Sun Conference co-championship art and science in history from Fort Leaven- Randy Anderson worth, KS; health services administration from Two 2nd place finishes at MAIAW state championship Central Michigan University; and national secu- Cass Lake, MN, where she guided the college One 2nd place finish at AIAW rity strategy from the National Defense Univer- Region 6 championship through full academic accreditation of its asso- sity. Col. Anderson and his wife, Lt. Col. (Dr.) ciate degree programs. Carpenter earned a law Overall record: 293 wins – 218 losses Kim Moran, have three children. They currently degree from the University of Wisconsin School 5 - 30+ win seasons reside in Fort Sam Houston, TX. of Law in 1989 and a Ph.D. in American Indian Coaching awards studies from the University of Arizona this year. COACHES HALL OF FAME COACHES Lt. Col. Mark Backlin entered the U.S. Air Force Nsic Hall of Fame – 2001 after graduating from Bemidji State in 1979. He Carpenter is an enrolled member of the Minne- spent 20 years in the Air Force, including a stint sota Chippewa Tribe, White Earth Band. She has Pioneer for bsu Athletics 1999-00 two children and makes her home in Bemidji. naia district 13 Volleyball Coach of the Year – 1987, 1988, 1989 for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, under then General Colin Powell, managing policy issues at the Pen- NSC Volleyball Coach of the Year – 1988 Linda Erceg, a 1990 BSU graduate, began her tagon. He now serves as president of the Judith career teaching physical education, health, Lombeida Medical Foundation, which he created and psychology at the high school level before to honor his wife who died in a car accident in coming to Bemidji State to earn a nursing degree. 2006. The foundation continues her work of per- She later earned a master’s degree in nursing from forming clinical and surgical medical missions, the University of North Dakota. She is the asso- in Ecuador. Backlin has two grown children and ciate director for health and risk management at resides in Colorado Springs, CO. ALUMNI BOARD SEEKING CANDIDATES The Alumni Association Board of Directors Concordia Language Villages in Bemijdi. Erceg is is soliciting alumni interested in serving on the board. Elections will be held in March to fill three of eight open Dr. Leah Carpenter graduated from Bemidji one of a limited number of BSU nursing alumni seats. The remaining five seats will be filled through board appointments. For more information about the State in 1985 with degrees in political science to receive the department’s Professional Nursing board, go to www.bsualumni.org, call 877.278.2586 (toll free), or send an email to [email protected]. and American Indian studies. She currently serves Award. She and her late husband, David, have a as the president of Leech Lake Tribal College in grown daughter.

14 Bemidji State University Horizons Horizons Bemidji State University 15 Chet Anderson 1918-2008 Legendary Coach, Teacher, and BSU Friend A pillar of the Bemidji State University commu- 1957 Football Team - Northern Intercollegiate Conference Co-Champions nity, former head coach, and faculty member Chet Anderson died on November 19 at his home in Bemidji. He was 90. Anderson’s involvement at Bemidji State wove through multiple athletic programs and the academic sector, beginning in 1955 and extending beyond his retirement in 1981. He directed BSU to a pair of Northern Intercolle- giate Conference (NIC) championships and was a member of the Uni- versity’s faculty. 1959 Football Team - Northern Intercollegiate Conference Co-Champions A BSU coaching legend, Anderson mentored the Beaver wrestling pro- gram from its infancy to a national power and is the namesake of the BSU football stadium. Anderson, a member of the BSU Athletic Hall of Fame since 1982, was inducted into the BSU Coaches’ Hall of Fame in 2008. This fall, he saw his 1957 and 1959 football teams and his 1972, 1973, and 1976 wres- tling teams inducted into the BSU Athletic Teams’ Hall of Fame. Joining BSU in 1955, Anderson took over a wrestling program in just its second year of existence and built it into one of the premier programs 1972 Wrestling Team - Northern 1973 Wrestling Team - Northern in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) during Intercollegiate Conference Champions Intercollegiate Conference Champions his 26-year career. 10-1 Dual Match Season 12-4 Dual Match Season With the two-time NIC Wrestling Coach of the Year at the helm, the Beavers captured NIC titles in 1972, 1973, and 1976. The program also posted 43 individual conference championships. Anderson’s teams fin- ished among the top 10 in the country on 12 occasions and placed third at the national tournament in 1971. Anderson was inducted into the NAIA Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame in 1975 and the Minnesota Wrestling Coaches’ Hall of Fame in 1979.

2008 TEAM HALL OF FAME As the Beavers’ head football coach from 1955-1960 and from 1962- 1966, he led Bemidji State to two of Bemidji State’s five conference titles – one in 1957 and again in 1959. In 10 seasons, he coached five NAIA 1976 Wrestling Team - Northern Intercollegiate Conference Champions All-Americans, 29 NIC All-Conference selections, and a pair of the 12 – 2 Dual Match Season league’s Glen Galligan award winners. In 1996, the BSU football facility was renamed Chet Anderson Stadium in honor of the legendary coach. Since his retirement in 1981, Anderson remained a staunch supporter of BSU athletics. He was often seen cheering for the Beavers at a variety of venues including hockey, basketball, and football.

2008 outstanding Alumni

Col. Randy Anderson graduated from Bemi- dji State in 1985 with a bachelor’s degree in computer science and then was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army’s medical services corps. He is currently commander of the 32nd Medical Brigade at Fort Sam Hous- ton, TX, where he oversees approximately 7,000 army medical personnel. Anderson, who is cur- rently pursuing a Ph.D. in international health sciences, also holds master’s degrees in military Col. Lt. Col. Dr. Leah Linda Tony Peggy Scott Dr. Benjamin art and science in history from Fort Leaven- Randy Anderson Mark Backlin Carpenter Erceg Gramer Ingison Lindberg Tsang worth, KS; health services administration from Central Michigan University; and national secu- Cass Lake, MN, where she guided the college Tony Gramer graduated from Bemidji State in 1970 Scott Lindberg earned a business administration rity strategy from the National Defense Univer- through full academic accreditation of its asso- with a double major in business management and degree from Bemidji State in 1975 and then spent sity. Col. Anderson and his wife, Lt. Col. (Dr.) ciate degree programs. Carpenter earned a law accounting. He began his career in accounting and 25 years in the semiconductor industry. Lindberg Kim Moran, have three children. They currently degree from the University of Wisconsin School eventually moved into real estate development and retired from Hitatchi as the vice president of sales reside in Fort Sam Houston, TX. of Law in 1989 and a Ph.D. in American Indian management. He currently heads Gramer Company, in 2004 and currently works for Northstar Insur- studies from the University of Arizona this year. ance, a brokerage firm serving private clients in Lt. Col. Mark Backlin entered the U.S. Air Force LLC, a private investment company. He also is one of after graduating from Bemidji State in 1979. He Carpenter is an enrolled member of the Minne- California. He and his wife, Ellen, have three chil- sota Chippewa Tribe, White Earth Band. She has the organizing partners and a co-managing partner of dren and make their home in Mill Valley, CA. spent 20 years in the Air Force, including a stint MGM Grand Detroit, one of three licensed casinos in for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, under then General two children and makes her home in Bemidji. Detroit. Gramer has three grown sons and currently Dr. Benjamin Tsang graduated from Bemidji State Colin Powell, managing policy issues at the Pen- in 1971 with a degree in chemistry and earned a Linda Erceg, a 1990 BSU graduate, began her resides in Bloomfield Hills, MI. tagon. He now serves as president of the Judith career teaching physical education, health, Ph.D. in pharmacology from the University of Lombeida Medical Foundation, which he created and psychology at the high school level before Peggy Sullivan Ingison graduated from Bemidji Ottawa, Canada. He is currently the director of the to honor his wife who died in a car accident in coming to Bemidji State to earn a nursing degree. State with a bachelor’s degree in accounting in 1974. reproductive biology unit and professor of obstet- 2006. The foundation continues her work of per- She later earned a master’s degree in nursing from Ingison has assembled a public service career in the rics and gynecology and cellular and molecular forming clinical and surgical medical missions, the University of North Dakota. She is the asso- state of Minnesota spanning three decades. In 2004, medicine at the University of Ottawa, where he in Ecuador. Backlin has two grown children and ciate director for health and risk management at she was named commissioner of the Department of has spent the majority of his professional career. resides in Colorado Springs, CO. Concordia Language Villages in Bemijdi. Erceg is Revenue by Governor Pawlenty. In 2007, she moved He also holds a senior scientist position at the Dr. Leah Carpenter graduated from Bemidji one of a limited number of BSU nursing alumni into her current role as chief financial officer of Ottawa Health Research Institute. Dr. Tsang and his wife, Janet, currently reside in Ottawa and have State in 1985 with degrees in political science to receive the department’s Professional Nursing the Minneapolis Public Schools. She and her hus- band, Tom (‘74), have two children in college, includ- two grown children. and American Indian studies. She currently serves Award. She and her late husband, David, have a as the president of Leech Lake Tribal College in ing one at BSU. The Ingisons make their home in grown daughter. New Brighton.

14 Bemidji State University Horizons Horizons Bemidji State University 15 lassNotes Class Notes CTo have your information included in Horizons, contact the Alumni Association Office (email: [email protected]; dinator in the Randolph school system. She Attorney’s Office. A graduate of the William previously taught at Blackduck High School Mitchell College of Law, she was a law clerk toll free: 1-877-BSU-ALUM). ... Rachel Becker was recently named coor- in the Ramsey County District Court and the dinator of game entertainment for the Wash- Hennepin County Attorney’s Office before Please NOTE: ington Capitals of the NHL. In this capac- accepting the position with Carver County Towns are located in Minnesota ity, she coordinates all spirit squad and game ... Bonnie Magnuson is teaching kindergarten unless otherwise noted. entertainment logistics. Becker also works at the Tower-Soudan School. Magnuson, who Alumni names appear in bold. on video productions and participates in previously taught first grade at the Nett Lake the integration of marketing campaigns. She School, lives in Sturgeon Township with her lives in Washington, DC. . . Amy Burmeis- husband, Mike, who runs the DNR Forestry ter has been hired as an instrumental music Office in Tower ... Steven Johnson has been teacher in the McGregor school system ... reassigned by the North Dakota Highway Chad Heitz has been hired by Wanzek 2008 Nicole Schmidt has been hired as an Eng- Patrol to serve the patrol’s southwest region Construction of Fargo, ND, as a project engi- lish teacher for grades 7-12 in the Han- in Bismarck. He had been stationed in Lakota, neer. He was employed previously by Mal- cock school district, where she also directs ND, of the Grand Forks region ... Mary Hegna inski Mowing of Shakopee ... Jamie Docken one act plays. She previously completed a is teaching algebra and math classes at Cass of Owatonna is teaching first grade in the long-term substitute teaching assignment Lake-Bena High School. She moved to Cass Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton school system, in Osakis ... Megan Flatness is serving as Lake from Worthington, where she taught where she also coaches seventh- and eighth- the interim director of the Audubon Science math in a variety of school settings ... Kate grade volleyball ... Jessica Joy Johnson and Center in Albert Lea. The center, which Lundquist is teaching junior high English in Jason Porteous were married in mid-July includes animal exhibits, hands-on activi- the Roseau school district. She had previously and reside in Eden Prairie ... Emily Prall of ties, classes, and learning games for young served as a substitute teacher in Roseau, War- White Bear Lake is teaching kindergarten learners, recently expanded its after-school road, and Badger schools. Her husband, Jake, at the primary school in Chisago City. She program for students from kindergarten is a prototype specialist in research and devel- also recently completed her first marathon in through fifth grade ... Jillian Schuster of opment at Marvin Windows. They have one Duluth ... Derek Levno of Dassel has been Brownton has been accepted into the Peace young daughter. hired to teach industrial technology at Das- Corps. Assigned to Macedonia, she will col- sel-Cokato High School ... Mark Sailer is laborate with teachers in developing better 2003 Andrew Bronczyk has been accepted teaching technology education in Onamia school curriculum ... Kirsten Grygelko is a into the management of technology mas- ... Andrew Burford is a new addition to the new kindergarten teacher at the elementary ter’s program at the University of Minnesota Pike Bay Township Police Department, where school in Lino Lakes. She previously was a Center for the Development of Technologi- he has been assigned as the school resource substitute teacher for St. Michael-Albert- cal Leadership. He is a project engineer at officer for the Cass Lake-Bena Middle School. ville schools and was head pre-kindergarten Emerson Process Management and is married Burford had been working at the Northwest teacher at a private school in Loretto ... Ben to 2005 graduate Lindsey (Bromenshenkel), Juvenile Center in Bemidji ... Emily Volk- Mettling has moved from teaching fourth who is a technical project analyst at Emerson enant is teaching kindergarten in the Onamia grade in Ashby to a third-grade classroom in Process Management ... Air Force Second Lt. school system ... Lacie Hovland is directing Ellsworth, where he lives. Bryan Hielscher was named the Logistics the band programs at Lafayette High School Readiness Division Company Grade Officer of in Red Lake Falls. In addition to overseeing 2005 Meghan Mack has been hired as the the Second Quarter 2008. The commander of the drumline, she teaches general music and industrial technology instructor in the Clin- the 12th Mission Support Squadron on Ran- band on the elementary, junior high, and high ton-Graceville-Beardsley school district. She dolph Air Force Base in Universal City, TX, school levels. She and her husband, Tom, live lives in Wheaton and will teach students in recognized Hielscher for leading an initiative in Fertile ... Stacy Borchet is teaching third the combined middle and high school facility to rewrite and update redeployment infor- grade in Isle, where she, her husband, Tom, in Graceville ... Jennifer Gondringer married mation and increasing efficiency time by 20 and three children reside ... Jill Erickson has John Larson last spring in Deerwood. She percent in the processing of returning airmen been hired as the social worker in the Grygla is employed in the Youth Connection Pro- and women from overseas assignments. He School. Her husband, Todd, is employed at gram for the Brainerd school district, while also received the Air Force Achievement Thief Lake. The couple resides in Gatzke ... he works at Parker Hannifin. They reside Medal in 2007 ... Markus Okeson is teaching Dana Robinson is teaching math at the Grygla in Baxter ... Jennifer Hendrickx is teaching eighth-grade language arts at Redwood Valley School ... Dan Zielke is teaching American kindergarten in East Central School in Fin- Middle School and was named the head boy’s history, junior high religion, geography, and layson. She previously served as a long-term basketball coach in the Redwood Valley High pre-algebra at Austin Catholic Schools, where substitute in Red Lake ... Pamela Schenkey School in Redwood Falls. He and his wife, he also coaches the girls’ tennis team. is teaching first grade in Greenbush after Destany, have a young daughter. serving as a Title I reading teacher and para- Kirstin Drexler is a hospice social 2007 professional in the K-8 facility within the 2002 Denise Vorgert is teaching fifth and worker at Lakeland Hospice and Home Care Greenbush-Middle River school district. She sixth grades at Lafayette Charter School. in Fergus Falls. She formerly worked at St. and her husband, Marc, make their home She previously taught those same grades for Williams Living Center in Parkers Prairie ... in Middle River ... Kristi Hager is teach- six years at Holy Family Catholic School in Zachary Stafford has been hired by Wanzek ing senior high English and a college Eng- Silver Lake ... Donnie Farnsworth has joined Construction of Fargo, ND, as a project engi- lish course for students at Chokio-Alberta Northland Counseling Center in Grand neer. He had been employed by Christiansen schools. Rapids, where he will conduct therapy with Construction of Bemidji ... Jessica Torkelson individuals suffering from different types of married David Short during a June ceremony 2004 Dan Carpenter has accepted a teach- mental illness. He is also currently finishing in her hometown of Nevis. ing position at Greenbush-Middle River the graduate program in clinical psychology schools as the director of the high school at the University of North Dakota in Grand Katie Moe of Bemidji and Mike Dagel 2006 band, high school choir, middle school band, Forks, ND. of Coleraine were married July 10. Both are and fifth grade band. He, his wife,Sara (’01), now employed with Grand Rapids Realty. and young son moved from Lynd, where he 2001 Jamie Thaler married Nathan Coon Katie is also studying surgical technology at had taught elementary music ... Melissa this summer. The couple lives in Elysian. She Lake Superior College ... MerriAnne Werder Jacobsen of Wayzata has been hired as an is a teacher at Washington Elementary, while is the new high school science teacher, head assistant county prosecuting attorney for he is employed at Holtmeier Construction ... volleyball coach, and Science Olympiad coor- the juvenile division of the Carver County

16 Bemidji State University Horizons Horizons Bemidji State University 17 ClassClass Notes Notes

Paul Peterson has been named athletic coor- grade in the Bagley school system and previ- tcher, currently the programming director at dinator at Northland Community and Tech- ously taught at Cass Lake-Bena Elementary the Detroit Lakes Community and Cultural nical College in Thief River Falls. He has School. She and her husband, Eugene, have Center, competed in swimming, track, and extensive experience at the college, having two young sons. basketball while in high school and later in served as activities director and assistant ath- track at BSU. She and her husband, Joshua letic coordinator. He and his wife, Rebecca 1998 Betsy Kokett-Nordin was recognized (’95), live in Detroit Lakes. (’02), live in Thief River Falls ... Shannon as a Teacher of Outstanding Performance Svalen has been hired as the new ECFE school (TOP) within the Anoka Hennepin school 1995 Ryan and Kristin (Dahlberg) Brovold readiness and Headstart instructor at Win- district, where she has been employed for 11 live in Clear Lake. He recently was named E-Mac schools. Over the past five years she years. The school district selects 20 teachers academic dean at Rasmussen College in St. taught at schools in Bradenton, FL. Her hus- from those nominated by parents for the TOP Cloud, and she works as an adult protection band, Jason, is an elementary teacher. They honor, with four selected to receive a grant and adult services social worker in Wright have three children and live in McIntosh ... and cash award. Kokett-Nordin, who cur- County. They have two young daughters. Lisa Lommen is teaching high school math rently teaches in Oak View Middle School, in Milaca after previously teaching in Braham was one of the four recipients. She and her 1994 The Rev. Steven Anderson has and Onamia schools. She and her husband husband, Thomas (’99), live in Andover with been installed as the pastor at St. Stephen’s live in Princeton with their two sons. two young children ... Shane Bauer recently Lutheran Church in Braham. Anderson pre- started a new company, Laughingstock viously served as a pastor at Mission of the 2000 Maria Burnham, an adult basic edu- Design, in Duluth. The company special- Cross Lutheran Church in Crosslake after cation teacher in the Monticello WorkForce izes in projects that bring levity and positive being employed at Solvay Pharmaceuticals for Center, was named the 2008 Adult Basic Edu- thinking to promotions, projects, and design 10 years. He studied at Concordia Seminary cation Teacher of the Year by Literacy Min- challenges. Prior to starting his company, he in St. Louis, MO. He and his wife, Joanne, nesota. The award is given annually to the worked as promotion and design director for have two adult children ... Dave Roche- teacher whose unique contribution to adult Grandma’s Marathon for five years. He and his leau has been named the activities director basic education exhibits high standards of wife, Jennifer, have two children. of Pierz schools. Rocheleau had served as a quality ... Brian Bertilrud of Greenbush is a math teacher and head baseball coach in the new agricultural and business officer at Border 1997 Marnie Carter has joined the Ad Mon- district since 1988. State Bank. The bank serves Thief River Falls keys agency in Grand Forks as a production and the surrounding area. Prior to accepting manager responsible for client relations, proj- 1992 Karrie (Schirmers) Boser has joined the banking position, he was a sales represen- ect research, writing, and scheduling. She the Pierz Healy High School administrative tative for the Fastenal Company in Rochester joined Ad Monkeys after working with Gold- team as principal for grades 7-12. Prior to and managed the Fastenal Company location mark Property Management and serving as accepting her current position, she served as in Thief River. He and his wife, Desiree, have finance administrator with the non-profit tour- principal at Long Prairie High School, dean one son ... Laurie Olson is a fourth-grade ing group Up With People ... Bob Kreye and of students at Brainerd High School, a busi- teacher at Chisholm Elementary. She had his wife, Erika, are the proud parents of a new ness teacher at Pierz Healy High School, worked with the Mesabi East School District daughter born in August. He works as a senior and an assistant to the superintendent in that for eight years in a variety of capacities and environmental health and safety specialist for school district. Boser earned a master’s degree with the Minnesota Extension Service for 14 Medtronic in Fridley, while she is a registered at the University of Minnesota and an admin- years before obtaining her degree from BSU. nurse at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in istrative license from St. Cloud State Univer- Minneapolis. The couple now has two children sity. She and her husband, Brian, have four 1999 Beth Erickson has been hired as a ... Kevin Grover began the current school year young children and live in Pierz. communications officer for the Duluth Supe- as the new assistant to the superintendent in rior Area Community Foundation. A resident the International Falls school district. Grover 1991 Tony Aho has received the North of Iron River, WI, she previously held posi- started his career as a math teacher at Falls Branch Education Association’s Teacher of tions as managing news editor at KBJR-TV in High School and previously served the district the Year Award. A coach and educator in Duluth, director of college communications at as assistant administrator at the high school. North Branch, he was the North Subur- Northland College in Ashland, WI, and media He lives in International Falls. ban Conference Coach of the Year and his buyer for JPG Group in Duluth ... Jason Brad- wrestlers were recognized as one of the top ley of Red Lake Falls married Jolene Seibel 1996 Robin McRae is currently a resident 10 academic wrestling programs in Min- in a spring wedding ... Jennifer L’Allier is an prosthetist at Prosthetic Laboratories in Roch- nesota Class AA. He, his wife Rhonda, and interactive art director for Denali, a market- ester. He is a 2007 graduate of the North- two daughters live in Stanchfield ...Kay Net- ing agency in the Twin Cities. Prior to join- western University School of Medicine with teberg has been hired as assistant speech ing Denali, where her accounts include Best a degree in prosthetics ... Trista Diem brings pathologist for Nevis schools. A current Buy, Great River Energy, and Major Hotelier, experience in real estate appraising and real school board member, she formerly taught on she worked at MRM Worldwide, the Lacek estate investment to her new position as an the elementary level within the district. She Group, Life Time Fitness, Ashanti Eaton, and agent in the Brainerd/Baxter Edina Realty and husband, Olaf (’92), live in Nevis. Campbell Mithun. L’Allier lives in Minneapo- office. She and her husband, Jared (’98), live in Cross Lake with their three young chil- 1990 Randy Finn has been appointed the lis ... Lori (Thoma) Byrne and her husband, deputy executive director of the Leech Lake Matthew, announced the birth of their second dren. Jared teaches fourth grade in Baxter and also coaches the girl’s volleyball team ... Troy Band of Ojibwe Reservation Business Com- child in June. The couple resides in St. Joseph mittee. He previously held positions in the ... Dana Flint is director of choral activities at Mills and his wife, Denise, announced the birth of their first child in September. Mills fields of health, self-governance, special proj- Underwood High School. She has prior choral ects, and planning with AmeriCorps. A resi- conducting experience at Parkers Prairie High is employed at Lakewood Health System in Staples. The family resides in Garfield ... dent of Cass Lake, he has a master’s degree School and Fergus Falls Middle School. Her from UW-Superior. husband, Mike, is a farm and crop consultant John Kallis is a new math instructor at Lan- for Crop and Soil Associates. They reside in caster schools. He is back in the classroom 1989 John Richards is an aggregate super- Elbow Lake with their two sons ... Suzanne after a one-year stint as a mechanical engi- visor with Knife River in the corporation’s Vivier was named the Outstanding American neer. He had previously taught math for 11 north central region. He and his wife, Sara, Indian Teacher of the Year by the Minnesota years in Minnesota and Arizona. He and his make their home in Royalton ... Roy Booth Indian Education Association. A White Earth wife Kathleen, who teaches in Greenbush, of Bemidji will publish Roy C. Booth’s Theater of Band of Ojibwe enrollee, Vivier teaches first have two children ... Kimberly (Algoe) Bet- the Macabre, a collection of one-act plays, an tcher was inducted into the St. Cloud Techni- cal High School Athletic Hall of Fame. Bet- (Continued on page 18)

16 Bemidji State University Horizons Horizons Bemidji State University 17 lassNotes Class Notes CTo havePlease your informationNOTE: includedTowns inare Horizons located in Minnesota, contact the Alumniunless Association otherwise noted. Office (email: [email protected]; Hutchinson in 1997. His wife, Toni (’88), nesota town in the 1980s. The book, Pitzen’s is an occupational therapist. They and their first, also contains three short stories. He has toll free: 1-877-BSU-ALUM). two children reside in Darwin. been a social worker for Cass County Health and Human Services for 20 years. He and his Please NOTE: (Continued from page 17) 1985 Terry Furlong was appointed last fall wife, Mary (’79), live in Benedict. Towns are located in Minnesota to fill a vacancy on the North St. Paul City adaptation unlessof a short otherwise story, andnoted. a previously Council until the November general elec- 1979 Dr. James Tuorila was elected to publishedAlumni essay names on the appear portrayal in bold. of dark, tions. He co-owns Furlong Liquors and has serve as the surgeon general for the Veteran speculative fiction on the stage. He currently chaired the North St. Paul Parks Commis- of Foreign Wars, the fifth-highest position owns and operates Roy’s Comics and Games sion since 1993 ... Ray and Ruby (Schaum- in the national organization serving 1.6 mil- in Hibbing and Bemidji. burg) Schenkel are teaching at Moss Street lion veterans. Tuorila was recognized as the Elementary in Reidsville, NC ... Charlie VFW National Outstanding VA Health Care 1988 James Retka has been appointed dean Warring has resigned as head baseball coach Worker of the Year just prior to his retirement of workforce and economic development at at Sauk Centre High School after 18 years in from the Veteran’s Administration, where he Northland Community and Technical Col- that position. Warring compiled a 222-177 had served as a psychologist. Named a 1997 lege, where he had been serving as a manufac- record and advanced teams three times to the Bemidji State Outstanding Alumnus, he and turing specialist with the school’s Center for state tournament. He will continue to teach his wife, Diane, live in St. Cloud. Outreach and Innovation. Retka, who lives health ... Cindy Gorski has been hired as the in Thief River Falls, has more than 15 years new elementary physical education teacher 1978 Trika (Guyer) Smith was recognized experience in manufacturing, engineering, at Lakeside Elementary in Chisago City. She by Itasca Community College (ICC) as a and training. previously was employed as a truancy pre- 2008 Alumna of the Year. Smith graduated vention worker at the Chisago Lakes Middle from Itasca in 1976 before attending BSU to 1987 Sally Kerbaugh of Annandale brings School and taught K-8 physical education earn a math education degree. She began her 19 years of classroom experience to her new for seven years in Cleveland, OH. She and teaching career at ICC following graduation position of teaching sixth-grade reading in her husband, Mark, reside in Chisago City. and has served on the math faculty since that Maple Lake schools ... Ann Marie Lubovich time. She is a charter member of the school’s is the new choir director at Chisholm High 1984 John White earned a doctorate in alumni association board of directors. School. In addition to her choir assignment, exercise science from the University of Mis- she teaches music to students in kindergarten sissippi after receiving his master’s degree 1977 Sharon (Midkiff) Randolph has com- through sixth grades as well as a junior high from Bemidji State. He is currently regional pleted the first two volumes of the Connecting general music class. health director for all Dow Chemical Com- Us to the Sun, a series of books chronicling trav- pany sites in Texas. A four-year letterman and elers as they made their way to the Northern 1986 Jeff Peterson was named the Hutchin- NAIA All-America second team selection as Rockies, the creation of Glacier National Park, son School District Teacher of the Year. He an undergraduate at UW-Eau Claire, he was and the settlement of towns in Montana. The taught in Badger and Cedar Falls, IA, before recently inducted into the Blugold Hall of four-work series follows the history through accepting a business education position in Fame. He and his wife, Barb (’85), live in the end of World War II. Randolph has served Lake Jackson, TX, and have three children. as the student development coordinator at Flathead Valley Community College in Kal- 1983 Paul Yantes is a financial advisor for ispell, MT, for the past 17 years. She and her US Bancorp Investments in Plymouth. He husband, Gerry, live in Columbia Falls, MT. and his wife, Shari, live in Maple Grove with their two children. 1976 Sandy Eberhart has been named the new community education coordinator in the Bemidji State University 1982 Jim Scanlan returned to the East Bemidji school district. She previously held the Grand Forks High School boy’s hockey same position in Park Rapids for 16 years and MMEA Reception for BSU Alumni team as its head coach this year. Also the was a teacher in Detroit Lakes for six years. • Friday, February 13, 2009 Green Wave athletic director, he previously Location to be determined coached the team for 10 years before resign- 1974 Adele (Levchak) Munsterman won ing in 2006. He and his wife, Cyndy (’81), an at-large seat on the Education Minnesota Alumni & Friends Southwest Events reside in East Grand Forks. governing board at the teacher union’s state representative convention (this was reported • Oakwood Country Club – Sun Lakes, AZ 1981 Mary Beth Anderson is a sales asso- incorrectly in the fall issue of Horizons). She Saturday, March 7, 2009 ciate with Coldwell Banker Real Estate in and her husband, Walt, live in Brooklyn Park Dinner with golf in the afternoon Park Rapids. She and her husband, Rob, had ... Dennis Erickson is the new industrial tech- for those interested moved to that area in 1996. He worked as nology teacher at Willow River High School. a commodity broker, and she owned Mary He retired with more than 20 years at the • Temecula Creek Inn – Temecula, CA Bees women’s boutiques in Dorset and Park prison in Sandstone, had taught three years in Sunday – Monday, March 29-30 Rapids, which she sold in 2007. Prior to Mazeppa, and worked in construction for sev- Reception, winery tour or golf, dinner moving north, she was an elementary teacher eral years. He and his wife, Barb, live in Pine in the Twin Cities ... Karen Gustafson City. The couple has two adult children. Linne’ is a half-time supply pastor at Pike 50-Year Reunion – Class of 1959 1973 Don Johnson retired from teach- • Thursday, May 7, 2009 Lake Community Presbyterian Church. A graduate of Luther Seminary and ordained in ing technical education in Chetek, WI, area American Indian Resource Center, BSU 2002, she served as pastor of Salem Church schools after 35 years. During that time he in Mahtowa for six years. She and her hus- also coached football for 27 years and wres- Golden Beaver Society Luncheon band, Mark (’80), are residents of Duluth tling for 25 seasons. He and his wife, Lynda, • A recognition event for alumni graduating and have two grown children. live in Eau Claire, WI, and have two grown fifty years or more ago children. Friday, May 8, 2009 1980 Stephen Pitzen has published the 1972 Rod Schwarzrock was named Teacher American Indian Resource Center, BSU novel The Flowers of Autumn, which relates the story of a developmentally disabled adult and of the Year by the Bemidji Education Asso- For more information on each event, contact the a child who live in a small, northern Min- ciation. He recently retired after teaching Alumni Office at 877-278-2586 (toll free) or via physical education, health, and developmen- email at [email protected] or visit our website at www.bsualumni.org. 18 Bemidji State University Horizons Horizons Bemidji State University 19 ClassClass Notes Notes

tal adapted physical education in the Bemidji book in 1971 when he was in Long Beach, CA, Middle School. During his career, Schwarz- and only recently revised the text. He and his rock also coached tennis, basketball, and wife, Isidora, currently reside in Coon Rapids. In Memoriam football on the middle school level and bas- In Memoriam ketball at Bemidji High School. He and his 1968 Peggy Metzer has been recognized wife, Jenny (’73), live in Bemidji ... Kenneth by The Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal as an Chet Anderson (Faculty), Bemidji, MN Moorman was appointed to the Minnesota industry leader among successful business- Janet (Horn) Bedow ‘67, Minneapolis, MN State Advisory Council on Mental Health by women in Minnesota. The CEO of Cedar Riv- Margaret Brochhagen ’41, Deland, FL Gov. Tim Pawlenty. The group advises the erside People’s Center in Minneapolis, she was governor, Legislature, and state agency heads among 50 women in the state who were hon- Joseph Buckley ’80, Homer, AK about policies, programs, and services affect- ored for their leadership, professional accom- Ebenezer “Eb” Calder (Faculty), Bemidji, MN ing people with mental illness. Moorman, plishments, and involvement in business. A Mildred (Gillie) Christiansen ’68 & ‘77, Williams, MN who has 30 years experience in the pharma- resident of Woodbury, Metzer has served as ceutical industry, is a county commissioner CEO since 2000 and has increased the patient Larry E. Douglas ’69, Traverse City, MI for Lake of the Woods County. He and his visits by 47 percent at the clinic that addresses Mabel (Gulsvig) Engstrom ’43, Mountain Iron, MN wife, Jenny, live in Baudette. health and medical needs of local economi- cally and socially disadvantaged individuals or William R. Fisher ’69, Minneapolis, MN 1971 Gene Paulson has been named super- families. Janice “Kitty” (Vincent) Garland ’59, Bagley, MN intendent of the Fosston school district. Vanessa (Imsdahl) Henderson ’42, Bandon, OR Paulson is the former superintendent of the 1966 Dennis Martin lives in Austin, TX, Mesabi East School District that encompasses where his wife, Cynthia, is a third-year grad- Edith (Reeves) Herington ’61, Bemidji, MN the communities of Aurora, Hoyt Lakes, and uate student in the historical preservation Albert S. Johnson ’61, Austin, MN Biwabik ... Jerry Borgman has retired after field at the University of Texas School of John “Red” Kjeldson ’35, Kenai, AK teaching sixth grade students at Sauk Centre Architecture. Elementary School for 37 years. He and his Theodore “Ted” Kuryla ‘60, Bemidji, MN wife, Kathy, have two grown children and two 1965 Allen Ramussen has been appointed Willys “Bill” Lindberg ‘56, Fertile, MN to the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice grandchildren ... The Rev. Richard P. Shields Truman S. Lindvall 1966-1968, Littlefork, MN serves as president of the American Lutheran by Gov. Tim Pawlenty. Rasmussen is an edu- Theological Seminary. He also serves as assis- cational consultant who served as president of Iva C. (Daigle) McCrady ’30, Duluth, MN tant to the presiding pastor and national mis- Rainy River Community College from 1993 James W. Modeen ’87 Ramsey, MN to 2001. He was appointed to the board as a sion developer for the denomination. He and Richard Novacek ’74, Burnsville, MN his wife, Cindy, currently live in Indepen- public member for a two-year term. The board dence, MO. He is a 1986 graduate of Con- is responsible for licensing and disciplining Mabel A. (Herrgard) Ogren ’35, Clouqet, MN cordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO, where he also physicians as well as regulating acupunctur- Elda E. (Clark) Page ’40, Sandwich, IL earned an advanced theological degree. ists, athletic trainers, physician assistants, and respiratory care practitioners. Michael K. Pahlen ’71, Superior, WI 1970 Richie Glas is the head basketball Herbert M. Pederson ’53, Little Falls, MN coach at Concordia College in Moorhead. 1962 Edith Dalleska designed and created a quilt that was featured on the cover of the Harold T. Peters (Faculty), Plymouth, MN He previously served as head coach at the Wilfred W. Reinikka ’50, Calumet, MN University of Minnesota-Morris, Williamette 2008-09 Women’s Directory published by the University in Oregon, and the University of Women’s Press in St. Paul. She created the Dorothy Mea Robertson ’70, Knoxville, TN North Dakota. He also held assistant coach- quilt, “Woman with a Large Purse,” in response to a challenge by the Minnesota Contempo- John E. “Sonny” Suomi ’57, Babbit, MN ing assignments at Hawaii, Arizona, and Dale Thompson ’61, Badger, MN Northern Iowa ... Bruce Ritchey is the presi- rary Quilters to represent life on the Missis- dent and chief executive officer of WaterFur- sippi. The quilt shows a strong, young woman Jerome O. Westrum ’65, Clearbrook, MN holding a purse depicting a sunfish in reds, nace Renewable Energy in Fort Wayne, IN. Madalyn H. (Ahmann) Wick (Faculty), Bemidji, MN WaterFurnace is a manufacturer of geother- oranges, yellows, and blue. Dalleska lives mal heating and air-conditioning equipment. in St. Paul ... Tom Kinnunen was inducted Sharon (McLain) Wicklander ’68, Nine Mile Falls, WA He joined the company in 1998 after working into the Mountain Iron-Buhl Football Hall of Marion A. (Golla) Wells ‘71, Laporte, MN at the Trane Company for 17 years. Fame. Kinnunen was named the Mesabi Daily News Player of the Year while competing for Andrea E. Zustiak ’76 & ’79, Blackduck, MN 1969 Pat Kelly will coordinate membership Mountain Iron in the late 1950s. He pursued services for the Bemidji Symphony Orchestra a career in education, serving as a teacher, (BSO). Retired as the vice president of devel- coach, and administrator in the Grand Rapids coaching career that produced six conference opment for North Country Health Services, area. He and his wife of 47 years Connie live crowns, two regional titles, and two state she was recently named the first Friend of the in Grand Rapids and have two children. championships. He and his wife, Pat, live in BSO Program, which taps expertise of com- Duluth. munity members to bring quality music to the 1958 Herbert Day taught sixth grade for 35 area ... Bob Scarpino retired after a career in years, primarily in North St. Paul schools. He 1951 Bruce Jamieson retired from the edu- the U.S. Coast Guard. He now volunteers as and Virginia, his wife of 47 years and a music cation field 21 years ago, when he and his a wrestling coach and an independent part- teacher, raised two daughters – both of whom wife, Burna (Krugler), moved to a Del Webb time distributor of print media. He indicates are also educators. The couple lives in New retirement community in Lincoln, CA, 20 he visits his daughter in Columbus, OH, to Brighton. miles northeast of Sacramento. They remain catch the BSU women’s hockey team when active in gardening, reading, walking, and 1954 Irv St. John has been inducted into other endeavors. they play Ohio State. He and his wife, Jan, the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference also have two sons, including Kevin, who Athletic Hall of Fame. A four-year letterman 1934 Signie Burke celebrated her 106th attended BSU and was named Ohio Army in baseball, track, and basketball at Bemidji birthday with family and friends at the National Guard Hero of the Year for his ser- State, St. John led the Beavers to three con- Guardian Angels facility in Hibbing. Burke vice in Iraq ... Carrol Peterson had a fall pub- ference basketball titles during his four years was born on the Iron Range in 1902 and lishing date for his third novel, Summer Mirage: on campus. At Duluth East High School, he taught elementary education in Goodland Death of a Hired Man. He originally wrote the compiled a 245-118 record during a basketball until 1967.

18 Bemidji State University Horizons Horizons Bemidji State University 19 2007-2008 Affirming Jaime LeDuc remembers The generosity of those who share Bemidji State’s wondering about the letter that vision of shaping potential, shaping worlds, con- arrived in the mail at the start of tinues to grow, with the BSU Foundation assets her senior year at Bemidji State experiencing a new high of $13,698,936 in 2008. University. The student ath- This support, coupled with the focused efforts of our lete had never before received dedicated foundation board and staff, made the past year a very rewarding one. a letter from the BSU Founda- tion, so she was curious. Accomplishments recorded by the BSU Foundation this year included: Little did she know an affirma- tion of her dreams was sealed Completed property acquisition and building demolition on the former Jack and Marie St. Martin Bemidji High School site on behalf of the University inside. Awarded student scholarships and room grants totaling $798,855 LeDuc was preparing for her Provided other program support to BSU totaling $320,546 final season with the women’s hockey team, a tenure that Raised $2.5 million over five years in support of BSU Hockey started with uncertainties sur- Established 27 new endowed scholarship funds rounding her as an un-recruited Established 5 additional endowments supporting specific programs skater. She opened the enve- Provided funds for BSU Admissions Scholarships totaling $191,050 lope to read she was the 2007- 2008 recipient of the Jack and Experienced an increase in the Legacy Society with 175 members and an estimated total of over $20 million in planned gifts to support BSU Marie St. Martin endowed scholarship for hockey. We anticipate another eventful, productive program in 2009 under the leadership of newly elected officers of the BSU Foundation Board: Robin “That letter was a sweet sur- Kelleher, president; Dave Sorensen, vice-president; and George Thelen, prise,” she says. “Hockey means secretary-treasurer. We also look forward to visiting with many BSU alumni a lot to me, and I feel I put a lot and friends at our events in Arizona and California this spring or anytime of my heart into it. I dreamed on campus. of playing hockey in an NCAA In the meantime, thank you for your continued involvement and support. Division I program, and the We look forward to seeing you soon. scholarship affirmed my com- Sincerely, mitment to my passion. “ A three-time captain, four-time Rob Bollinger letter winner, and all-time lead- Executive Director for University Advancement ing scorer at International Falls High School, she had no col- lege athletic scholarship offers and feared her competitive skating days were over. Some even told her outright she couldn’t make it at the Division I level. That sentiment wasn’t shared by her parents or coach. So she increased her workouts, began power lifting, ran longer, and grabbed the chance to walk-on at BSU.

Alumni and foundation staff pose in front of the Park House. Front Row: Kimberle Nagle, Kelly Schwartz, Lisa Hofstad, Janai Lampert. Middle Row: Tammy Mayer, Dawn Huseby, Marla Patrias, Bekki Babineau. 20 Bemidji BackState Row: University Linda Rasmussen, Foundation Geri Bang, Joe ANNUAL Czapiewski, REPORTWray Wright, Rob Bollinger, Visnja Bilanovic AffirmingDreams ship, as well as sup- “That letter was a sweet surprise. Hockey means a lot port for BSU students to me, and I feel I put a lot of my heart into it. I dreamed of employed at Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC), playing hockey in an NCAA Division I program, and which the St. Martins the scholarship affirmed my commitment to my passion.” franchised in Bemidji Jaime LeDuc during the early 1960s. the Bemidji KFC, was the first eries management and aquatic Their KFC enterprise from either family to earn a systems. “The aquatic biology grew to five restau- bachelor’s degree. program on the lake was a big rants in the region and Jack and Marie St. Martin factor for coming to Bemidji four express outlets in “We support scholarships because it is an opportunity State.” Three years after she earned Las Vegas. Like LeDuc, their to give back to Bemidji, the Although she doesn’t know a spot on the roster, the dream started with uncer- Native American community, where, she feels graduate letter brought her hard work tainty. They gambled by and to Bemidji State because school is the next likely step. full-circle. Her final season moving in 1974 to Bemidji’s they have been good to us,” capped a career where she west side, a residential area Often scholarships mean more says Jack. appeared in 117 games, surrounded by jack pines. than supporting a competitive skated to a stunning road-win After tapping their friends and LeDuc used the St. Martin drive. For LeDuc, receiving a against a University of Min- finances, they opened with scholarship to pursue her aca- scholarship has meant being nesota powerhouse, earned $12.48 in the cash register. demic dream as well. Active able to pursue her fascination in water sports while grow- with water, whether frozen or an athletic scholarship as a “If someone would have come ing up on Rainy Lake, she is liquid. junior, and was named to the in with a $20 bill, we’d have majoring in aquatic biology. WCHA All-Academic Team. been in deep, deep trouble,” The St. Martins began fund- Marie remembers. “We were “I liked being on water and ing hockey scholarships lucky. Now you can’t do busi- always wondered what was when BSU started a Division ness like that. We made and going on below the surface,” I women’s team in 1998. As overcame our mistakes. Today says LeDuc, a fifth-year friends of men’s coach Bob you can’t afford to make mis- senior who is completing her Peters, they understood the takes. That’s why education is degree with emphases in fish- need for added support. so important.” “We had been giving to the From Grand Rapids and Inter- BSU Foundation since it national Falls respectively, started in the 1970s,” Jack neither Jack nor Marie con- says. “Bob said they needed tinued their education beyond scholarships for the great high school. Their son Brian, kids they were recruiting. a BSU graduate who operates We felt we could help by doing more.” So they funded a hockey award and endowed another with the recipient alternating annually between the men’s and women’s programs. The Bemidji residents have since added an endowment for a Native American scholar-

20 Bemidji State University Foundation ANNUAL REPORT ANNUAL REPORT Bemidji State University Foundation 21 Chargers, like the one on the left, are “awards of distinction” created especially for the President’s Society by Visual Arts Professor and Department Robert and Mary Lou Peters NorthEnd Trust Lyle E . Dally* Chair John “Butch” Holden. The Jay and Rose Phillips Family Foundation Northland Electric Dave’s Pizza The award honors donors with Phillips Plastics Corp . Joel and Kary Otto Robert* and Jacqueline Decker cumulative giving of $50,000 Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians Paul Bunyan Broadcasting Steve and Veronica DeKrey or more. State Farm Companies Foundation Dr . John C . Pearce Delta Kappa Gamma John L . and Marie St . Martin/ Stephen Pearce, M .D . Patrick and Barbara DeMarchi The Jack and Marie St . Martin Family Rod and De Pickett Dick’s Plumbing and Heating of Bemidji, Inc . Foundation/Kentucky Fried Chicken The Pioneer/Advertiser Jon and Beth Duncan resident’s Dr . Theodore and Margaret Thorson The Presto Foundation Dwayne Young, Inc . Plaster & Drywall Gary* and Joanne Torfin Trudy and Kevin Rautio Contractor TruStar Federal Credit Union REM Northstar, Inc . Bemidji Regional Office Lynn and Mary Eaton P Wells Fargo Bank N .A . Dr . Tom and Sandra Richard Edgewater Group ociety White Earth Band of Chippewa Dr . James and Carol Richards Eldercare Health Benefits Mgmt Systems, Inc 1 anonymous donor RiverWood Bank Steven and Susan Engel Russell Herder Drs . Gary and Nancy Erickson Steven and Robyn Seide Herbert M . Fougner The President’s Society recognizes the University’s most generous The Ambassadors’ Society S ($25,000 to $49,999) Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community Dr . Joann Fredrickson contributors. Membership includes individuals, families, and Hazel Shimmin Estate* Freeberg & Grund, Inc . organizations and is based on lifetime cumulative giving to the 3M Foundation Lowell and Lois Sorenson Michael and Deanna Garrett Bemidji State University Foundation. Members are recognized for Alltech Associates Inc Spaulding Motors, Inc/ Drs . Daniel Gartrell and Julie Jochum gifts and pledges at the levels listed below. American Legion Post 14 Buster and Helen Spaulding Georgia-Pacific Corp . - Superwood Winnifred Anderson Super 8 Motel Dr . James and Connie Ghostley ARAMARK USA Color Printing Col . Clark and Judith Gilbertson Bill* and Jessie Baer Paul Bunyan Telephone Richard and Judith Werner Dr . Lowell and Ardis Gillett The Trustees’ Society Carl and Terry Baer Patrick Riley & Natalie Roholt Drs . Larry and Ranae Womack Dr . Richard and Carol Goeb ($1,000,000+) Beaver Bookstore Security Bank USA Barbara L . Wylie Bruce L . Gordon Dr . Marjory C . Beck The George W . Neilson Foundation Marcella Sherman 7 anonymous donors Gourmet House The Bernick Companies David L . and Kathryn S . Sorensen Great Lakes Gas Transmission Ltd Partnership Marie Bishop* George and Sandra Thelen Beulah Gregoire The Chancellor’s Society Bois Forte Band of Chippewa The Founders’ Society ($500,000 to $999,999) ($10,000 to $24,999) Dr . Harold and Renate Hagg* John and Ann Carlson/John Carlson Agency, Inc . Kathryn K . Hamm* 3M, Inc The Builders’ Society Lorraine and Jim* Cecil Robert J . and Barbara Aalberts ($50,000.00 to $99,999 ) Hardee’s of Bemidji Joe and Jan Lueken Dr . Almond and Shalyn Clark Ace on the Lake Russell and Gudrun Harding* Bank Forward Eugene Dalzotto Don and Susan Addy Hartz Foundation The Benefactors’ Society Bemidji Woolens, Inc ./William J . Batchelder Deerwood Bank Bernie Adlys Dr . Richard and Dorothy Haugo ($250,000 to $499,999) Big North Distributing, Inc . Dick’s Northside, Inc . American Family Insurance Oluf and Margaret Haugsrud Estate* Lynne C . Bunt Estate* Herbert A . and Lillian C . Doran Northern Amusement John R . Heneman Dr . M . James and Nancy Bensen Don and Petra DeKrey Gregory Droba Boris and Caroline Andrican Hill’s Heating of Bemidji, Inc . Eva Lind* Dondelinger GM Gary S . Erickson, DDS Arrow Printing, Inc . Hoeschler Fund - St Paul Foundation David and Brenda Odegaard Joe and Karen Dunn Kenneth P . and Sara E . Erickson Drs . Linda and Norman Baer Lynne K . Holt Mrs . F . Russell Eggers* Jeanine and Ronald Gangeness Thomas J . Beech Honeywell Foundation The Directors’ Society Bruce and Mary Jo Falk General Mills Foundation Dr . Richard and Josephine Beitzel Dr . Howard and Mary Hoody ($100,000 to $249,999) Federated Insurance Foundation Dr . Muriel B . Gilman Beltrami Electric Cooperative, Inc . Kenneth and Kari Howe Bemidji Lions Club Don Anderson Elfrida B . Glas Dale E . Greenwalt PhD IBM Bemidji Medical Equipment Jeff and Kathy Baumgartner/Circle B Properties Bernard and Fern* Granum Thomas and Joanne Heaviland Insure Forward Bemidji Rotary Club M . Fern Birnstihl Hampton Inn & Suites Barbara Higgins Iverson Corner Drug June L . Bender Fred Breen* Margaret H . Harlow* Terrance and Cindy Holter Larry and Connie Jacobson/Slim’s Bar & Grill Kermit and Sandy Bensen Raymond Breen* Dr . Annie B . Henry Dr . Myrtie A . Hunt Louise H . Jackson Jon and Linda Blessing Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Bemidji, Inc . Dr . Ruth Howe John and Delphine Jacobsen JC Penney Co Inc Bob Lowth Ford, Inc Enbridge Energy Company, Inc . William and Bette* Howe John Johanneson* Arnold L . Johnson* Dr . Mel and Ruby Bolster First National Bank Bemidji Paul and Lynn Hunt Nancy Johnson* Terry and Susan Johnson Mary Boranian and Brian Curb Anthony S . Gramer Esther F . Instebo Virginia Hope Johnson* Dr . Johannas M . Jordan Dr . John Brady* Kirk Gregg Johanneson’s, Inc Wilbur Johnson Estate* Keckeisen’s Sporting Goods Sales Bravo Beverage Ltd (Trish and Terry Jones) Dr . Evan and Elaine Hazard Kraus-Anderson Construction Company - North Lillie M . Kleven* Keith’s Pizza Al Brew Jim and Marilyn Heltzer Division Gary Knutson* Dr . Debra K . Kellerman and Linda Brew Margaret H . Johnson* Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Kopp Family Foundation Anthony L . Wandersee Gurnee K . Bridgman Sam and Pegg y Mar vin Johnson Mar vin Lumber & Cedar Co Alan Korpi & Martha Nelson/ Ken K Thompson Jewelry Burger King Corporation Robin Kelleher MeritCare Clinic Bemidji Valvoline Instant Oil Change Kentucky Fried Chicken Robert and Vera Bush* Lueken’s Village Foods Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Lake Region Bone and Joint Surgeons Alan and Judy Killian Jeffrey P . Busse John W . Mar vin Miller McDonald, Inc League of Women Voters - Bemidji Area David and Charlotte Kingsbury Dr . Raymond and Margaret Carlson Michael McKinley/McKinley Companies Alex Milowski Drs . Gordon and Alice Lindgren Pat Knoer State Farm Insurance Caswell International Corporation Mark and Sandra Niblick Harry Moore* James and Janet Love* Drs . Raymond and Beatrice Knodel Central Valley Food Services, Inc North Country Health Services Charles Naylor* Minnesota Energy Resources Dr . Clayton and Ivy Knoshaug Kenneth* and Marion Christianson Northern Inn William and Dona Mae Naylor Diane Moe & Thomas Fitzgerald Dr . Franklin and Diane* Labadie Citizens State Bank Midwest Otter Tail Power Company Nei Bottling, Inc Gary and Marlene Moe Dale and Michelle Ladig Michael B . and Noel C . Clay Otto Bremer Foundation North Country Business Products Sharon Moe The Langhout Family NorthernLight FX Sound & Lighting Equipment Leo D . Morgan, Jr Control Stuff Dr . David and Alice Larkin Northwest Minnesota Foundation Naylor Electrical Construction Company, Inc . Veita Lou Corbin Douglas and Renee Leif Dr . Harold T . Peters* James and Janice Naylor Katharine Neilson Cram* Hazel Marie Leland NCS Pearson Caroline Czarnecki Dr . Robert and Dale Ley Dr . Raymond* and Jane Nelson Dr . Kenneth and Mary Lundberg Norbord Minnesota Keith Marek

22 Bemidji State University Foundation ANNUAL REPORT ANNUAL REPORT Bemidji State University Foundation 23 NorthEnd Trust Lyle E . Dally* Allen and Susie Mathieu Northland Electric Dave’s Pizza John and Judi McClellan Joel and Kary Otto Robert* and Jacqueline Decker Betsy J . McDowell Paul Bunyan Broadcasting Steve and Veronica DeKrey James McElmury Jr The BSU Legacy Society recognizes those who have Dr . John C . Pearce Delta Kappa Gamma Neil and Patricia McMurrin made a deferred or planned gift to the BSU Foundation. Stephen Pearce, M .D . Patrick and Barbara DeMarchi Jon and Debra McTaggart Rod and De Pickett Dick’s Plumbing and Heating of Bemidji, Inc . Robin and Diane Mechelke The society has grown from 43 charter members when The Pioneer/Advertiser Jon and Beth Duncan Medsave Family Pharmacy it formed in 2002 to 175 members today. The Presto Foundation Dwayne Young, Inc . Plaster & Drywall Debra Melby* Trudy and Kevin Rautio Contractor Thomas and Marilyn Miller Donald Anderson Peggy (Marvin) & Sam Johnson REM Northstar, Inc . Bemidji Regional Office Lynn and Mary Eaton The Minneapolis Foundation Joan Campbell Anderson Vince Johnson* Dr . Tom and Sandra Richard Edgewater Group Minnesota Humanities Commission Boris and Caroline Andrican Wilbur Johnson* Dr . James and Carol Richards Eldercare Health Benefits Mgmt Systems, Inc Dr . Dorothy L . Moore Jessie Baer Johannas Jordan RiverWood Bank Steven and Susan Engel George* and Betty Murray H.C. Baer* Pat and William Kelly Russell Herder Drs . Gary and Nancy Erickson Darby and Geraldine Nelson Grant Bateman* Richard & Sharon King Steven and Robyn Seide Herbert M . Fougner Gerald and Fern Nichols Jim & Nancy Bensen Margaret Ann Kircher Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community Dr . Joann Fredrickson Dr . Lee A . Norman Evelyn Berg* Lillie M. Kleven* Hazel Shimmin Estate* Freeberg & Grund, Inc . North Central Door Company Dan & Terri Bergan Curt and Sue Kringen Lowell and Lois Sorenson Michael and Deanna Garrett Northwestern Surveying & Engineering, Inc . M. Fern Birnstihl Eva & Roy Lind* Spaulding Motors, Inc/ Drs . Daniel Gartrell and Julie Jochum David and Jean Olderman Marie Bishop* Neil B . and Patricia McMurrin Buster and Helen Spaulding Georgia-Pacific Corp . - Superwood Allen Oman State Farm Agency Elaine D. Bohanon Nelmarie Melville Super 8 Motel Dr . James and Connie Ghostley Douglas L . Onan John “Fred” Breen* Margaret (Peggy) Miles USA Color Printing Col . Clark and Judith Gilbertson The Oppegaard Family Foundation Raymond Breen* John & Sue Minter Richard and Judith Werner Dr . Lowell and Ardis Gillett Family and Friends of Ruth Ouverson Alan Brew John & Walli Mitchell Drs . Larry and Ranae Womack Dr . Richard and Carol Goeb John and Lori Paris Linda Brew Dorothy L. Moore Barbara L . Wylie Bruce L . Gordon David and Dianne Parnow Gurnee Bridgman Harry Moore* 7 anonymous donors Gourmet House John Persell II Virginia Bridgman* Claude W. Morris* Great Lakes Gas Transmission Ltd Partnership Dr . Martha Peters Bill & Henrietta Britton Betty Murray The Founders’ Society Beulah Gregoire David Lee Peterson Estate* Lynne E. Bunt* George Murray* ($10,000 to $24,999) Dr . Harold and Renate Hagg* Rohl and Patricia Peterson Jeffrey P. Busse Judy & Norman Nelson Kathryn K . Hamm* Productivity, Inc Dale and Joanne Carlson Raymond Nelson* Robert J . and Barbara Aalberts Hardee’s of Bemidji Jack E . and Mary Betty Quistgard Joe and Jenifer Carson Wilford & Albiona Nelson* Ace on the Lake Russell and Gudrun Harding* Raphael’s Bakery Rose Chen John O’Boyle Don and Susan Addy Hartz Foundation Roger Rasmussen Samuel Chen* Charlie O’Connor Bernie Adlys Dr . Richard and Dorothy Haugo Richard Rude Architectural Bertha Christianson* David & Diane Parnow American Family Insurance Oluf and Margaret Haugsrud Estate* Dr . Patricia A . Rosenbrock Almond (Al) and Shalyn Clark Lawrence Perkins Northern Amusement John R . Heneman Stuart and Susan Rosselet Caroline M. Czarnecki Bob and Lou Peters Boris and Caroline Andrican Hill’s Heating of Bemidji, Inc . Drs . William and Rochelle Scheela Lyle E. Dally* David Lee Peterson* Arrow Printing, Inc . Hoeschler Fund - St Paul Foundation John and Evelyn Schuiling* Donald H . DeKrey Rohl Carlo & Patricia Peterson Drs . Linda and Norman Baer Lynne K . Holt Walter and Mardene Schuiling Rebecca Eggers* Joanne M. Provo Thomas J . Beech Honeywell Foundation Lee C . Scotland, D .D .S . Fritz and Robin Ehlers Jon & Trish Quistgaard Dr . Richard and Josephine Beitzel Dr . Howard and Mary Hoody Thomas P . and Cynthia K . Serratore Donald and Mary K . Erickson Dave and Kim Ramsey Beltrami Electric Cooperative, Inc . Kenneth and Kari Howe Doreathea Shanfeld Janet M . Erickson Tom and Sandy Richard Bemidji Lions Club IBM Dr . Mark A . Shanfeld, Ph .D . Jean Erickson Willard & Lois Robertson Bemidji Medical Equipment Insure Forward Dr . Kathryn Smith Ann Moore Flowers* Patricia Rosenbrock Bemidji Rotary Club Iverson Corner Drug Michael and Melinda Spry Bill and Marge Forseth Carol Russell June L . Bender Larry and Connie Jacobson/Slim’s Bar & Grill Dale Stauss Jerry & Shirley Froseth Pat & Irwin St . John Kermit and Sandy Bensen Louise H . Jackson Irene K . Stewart Gail Gantz-Bergsven Jack & Marie St . Martin Jon and Linda Blessing JC Penney Co Inc Corey Stittsworth/Stittsworth’s Nymore Food Mart Helen Gill John and Charlotte Schullo Bob Lowth Ford, Inc Arnold L . Johnson* Dr . Thomas and Bonnie Swanson Ardis & Ted Gillett Ken and Betti Sherman Dr . Mel and Ruby Bolster Terry and Susan Johnson Chet Swedmark and Helen Kohl-Swedmark Ronald and Nancy Gladen Hazel Shimmin* Mary Boranian and Brian Curb Dr . Johannas M . Jordan Systec, Inc Beulah Gregoire Lowell (Steve) & Lois Sorenson Dr . John Brady* Keckeisen’s Sporting Goods Sales Douglas and Lori Taylor James D. Gribble Duane and Celeste Sperl Bravo Beverage Ltd (Trish and Terry Jones) Keith’s Pizza Teammates for Kids Foundation Pat Grimes J . Ruth Stenerson* Al Brew Dr . Debra K . Kellerman and Telespectrum Worldwide Keith W . Gunderson Lorna & Maury Sullivan Linda Brew Anthony L . Wandersee Thorson, Inc . Kathryn K. Hamm Chet Swedmark Gurnee K . Bridgman Ken K Thompson Jewelry Dave and Pegg y Tiffany James F . Hanko Merril Thiel Burger King Corporation Kentucky Fried Chicken Dr . Ken Traxler Linda & Kurt Hanson Dave & Peggy Tiffany Robert and Vera Bush* Alan and Judy Killian Dr . James and Diane Tuorila Gudrun Harding Joanne Torfin Jeffrey P . Busse David and Charlotte Kingsbury Mary M . Veranth Russell Harding* Jim & Diane Tuorila Dr . Raymond and Margaret Carlson Pat Knoer State Farm Insurance Austin and Paula Wallestad Margeret H. Harlow* Floyd Tweten Caswell International Corporation Drs . Raymond and Beatrice Knodel Ruth E . Warde Estate* Oluf & Margaret Haugsrud* Christel & Jeff Wallin Central Valley Food Services, Inc Dr . Clayton and Ivy Knoshaug Dr . Victor D . Weber Beverly Henriques Victor Weber Kenneth* and Marion Christianson Dr . Franklin and Diane* Labadie Widseth Smith Nolting & Associates Annie Henry Robert & Jeanette Welle Citizens State Bank Midwest Dale and Michelle Ladig Jerry Winans Ruth Howe Wesley Winter* Michael B . and Noel C . Clay The Langhout Family Bud and Gloria Woodard Myrtie A. Hunt Shirley Yliniemi Control Stuff Dr . David and Alice Larkin Robert and DeAnn Zavoral Esther F. Instebo Robert & Sherry Young Veita Lou Corbin Douglas and Renee Leif 7 anonymous donors Jack and Delphine Jacobsen Charles & Susan Zielin Katharine Neilson Cram* Hazel Marie Leland Jeffrey & Marjorie Johnson 10 Anonymous Members Caroline Czarnecki Dr . Robert and Dale Ley *Deceased Margaret H. Johnson* Dr . Kenneth and Mary Lundberg *Deceased Keith Marek Charter Members

22 Bemidji State University Foundation ANNUAL REPORT ANNUAL REPORT Bemidji State University Foundation 23 cholarship S Continues to ay Forward P“My mother specifically left In the fall of 2008, one of the the money to do what I could scholarships was awarded to for others,” says Jim, who Patrick Bright, a political sci- decided to fund scholarships ence senior from Bemidji . A at Bemidji State University . graduate of TrekNorth charter “There were students locally school in Bemidji, he enrolled who might not otherwise at BSU to become a social afford to go to the Univer- studies teacher . However, sity, and the scholarships a class in political science were to provide the margin changed his academic interest they needed to get through and professional aspirations . Jim and Marilyn Heltzer school .” When he finishes his bache- Long before the concept Jim gave the money to the BSU lor’s degree this spring, he will of “paying it forward” became Foundation where endow- head to graduate school . popular, Jim Heltzer’s mother ments established three Jim “History was always a passion Berneice practiced the ideal . and Marilyn Heltzer Scholar- of mine, but political science In her will, she bequeathed ships – one each in education, in this day and age seems him some money and included political science, and music . much more relevant,” he says . a simple stipulation: He had Those areas were important “History is an interconnected to give it away . And, as pre- to the Heltzers . Both started part of political science; it scribed by the paying-forward their professional careers provides the framework for concept, he passed on his in teaching, are politically moving forward . good fortune to others . active, and enjoy Bemidji “This scholarship is a big State’s music performances . thing . It recognizes the work I’ve done in the depart- ment, but it’s a lot more . As “History was always a passion of mine, but a low income student, this political science in this day and age seems much more relevant. History is an intercon- nected part of political science; it provides the framework for moving forward.” Patrick Bright

24 Bemidji State University Foundation ANNUAL REPORT ANNUAL REPORT Bemidji State University Foundation 25 ay Forward

P will allow me to pay for my “And economics,” Jim adds Cash Contributions Received tuition and books without quickly . He has seen that taking out another loan . impact first-hand as a three- 2,500,000 Worrying about how to pay term county commissioner . for my undergraduate credits “In a lot of cities, there’s sep- is the last thing I need going aration between town and $2,049,867 2,000,000 $1,913,988 into grad school .” gown . My first teaching job Bright has applied to the Uni- was at a junior high school versity of Pittsburgh, Miami in a college town where the 1,500,000 of Ohio, Purdue, and several college was literally and figu- other universities that have ratively on a hill above town . $1,162,612 strong international pro- But here it is reversed . You 1,000,000 grams and student exchanges find great contributions by in Asia, Japan, or China . At University personnel doing $710,649 Bemidji State, he has focused things for the community all 500,000 his academic attention on the time .” international relations, com- Bright hopes to be an emis- parative politics, and security sary beyond campus as he 0 and conflict issues . pursues his primary goal 1993 1998 2003 2008 For the Heltzers, supporting of teaching on a college BSU students like Bright was campus . an easy decision, even though “I really want to teach stu- neither had been on campus dents that political science is before they moved to Bemi- not only what you see on TV . Rate of Investment Return dji in 1990 . Jim arrived as the It’s not just red versus blue . 16% city’s new director of housing There are so many intrica- 14% and redevelopment . His wife cies, but the most intriguing Marilyn, a retiree, eventually part is seeing how people 12% became the station manager use politics to relate to each 10% for the Minnesota Public other . Radio affiliate in town . 8% “If I can create that spark 6% “When we arrived, the Uni- of interest in one student, versity wasn’t even on our change that person and get 4% radar,” Marilyn says . “But them interested in the world, 2% BSU is an incredible place . then I’ll feel I’ve made a 0% It has a wonderful reputation difference .” and academics, and we have -2% been really impressed with And in the process, pay forward good fortune that -4% what the University contrib- 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 utes in terms of culture, arts, arrived in the form of a and people .” scholarship established many Annual Return years before . Ten Year Average

24 Bemidji State University Foundation ANNUAL REPORT ANNUAL REPORT Bemidji State University Foundation 25 Turning ragedy T into riumph TAt age 85, Bertha Evenson students interested in working fell and injured her hip at a with long-term care patients . care facility for the elderly . “It was a terrible thing to see Doctors said healing would that happen to my mother, come with bed rest, a treat- and it wasn’t good to see ment directive that went anyone suffer,” remembers unheeded at the facility . Bonnie Swanson, one of Prompted to walk despite her Evenson’s children . “She was Bertha Evenson objections, Evenson fractured a humble, giving person . She her hip . She would never take was interested in the simple “I firmly believe that nothing happens by another step and was confined things . She lived through the to a wheelchair until she died chance. There’s a reason I ended up wanting Depression, was never boast- in 1984 . ful, and was a hard worker . to get into this field and for what happened She and her six children were “We thought there was little to Bertha Evenson. I think it’s great that her determined to prevent others we could do for her with from suffering due to prevent- the settlement, but maybe family used a tragedy to help other people. It able mistakes . Their inspira- we could do something for has definitely made a difference in my life.” tion arose from the echoes others . There had to be a lot of Evenson’s pain-driven plea of small towns like the one Dawn Benson at the time of her injury, she lived in where there were “Please don’t let this happen facilities with inadequate to anyone else .” training to understand when Her call to action became a someone was really hurting . It reality while she was alive . was tragic that the end of her Using a settlement from an life was spent in misery, but ensuing court case, her family she would be pleased about established the Bertha Even- what’s happening with the son Scholarship for nursing scholarship .” Pleased, indeed . Twenty years after the schol- arship was created, Dawn

26 Bemidji State University Foundation ANNUAL REPORT ANNUAL REPORT Bemidji State University Foundation 27 Statement of Position June 30, 2008 Assets Benson, who didn’t start out loan smaller and enables her Current Assets to work in long-term care, to put a bit more into the Cash and Cash Equivalents 61,922 became an Evenson scholar- budget for her kids and their Investments 12,485,597 ship recipient . needs . Contributions Receivable 359,203 Prepaid Expenses 2,669 As a nurse in training, Benson She also appreciates how the Total Current Assets 12,909,391 of Hill City, made various BSU program fits her needs . professional nursing rounds She travels to BSU once every Property and Equipment 382,850 to learn which she liked or two or three weeks for a full Other Assets disliked . In a nursing home, day of classes and completes Contributions Receivable 273,500 she witnessed an accident other requirements online . Remainder Interest in Real Estate 96,519 caused by a nursing assistant “I couldn’t do a program Cash Surrender Value Life Insurance 36,676 Total Other Assets 406,695 error, saw the terrible results where I had to be on campus,” of the mistake, and vowed explains Benson, who has Total Assets $13,698,936 never to work in geriatrics . a 14-credit course load this Her decision, however, fall . “I have to work 40-plus Liabilities and Net Assets changed a short time later hours and try to keep things Current Liabilities when Benson added week- as normal as possible at home Accounts Payable 28,634 end shifts to a 40-hour week by attending all of the kids’ Accrued Termination Benefit Payable 27,800 to help make ends meet . As games and school functions .” Annuities Payable, Current Portion 37,512 Accrued Interest Payable 3,550 a temporary worker, she was Once she graduates, Benson Note Payable, Current Portion 352,802 assigned to nursing homes, will enroll in a master’s pro- Total Current Liabilities 450,298 and her earlier views about gram with similar flexibility, them soon disappeared . Long-term Liabilities so she can become a nurse Deferred Revenue 155,000 “I fell in love with the practitioner . She already talks Accrued Termination Benefit Payable 27,800 patients, their stories, their about a future where she Annuities Payable, Long Term Portion 202,534 personalities, and their histo- will travel to nursing homes Note Payable, Long Term Portion 7,594 ries,” says Benson, now a BSU in the Grand Rapids area to Total Long Term Liabilities 392,928

senior . A registered nurse at treat and diagnose residents Total Liabilities 843,226 that time, she began working while also educating family at Evergreen Terrace Nursing and staff on proper care . Net Assets Unrestricted Net Assets Home in Grand Rapids, and, “I firmly believe that noth- six years later, is the assistant University Fund 223,879 ing happens by chance,” says Alumni House Acquisition -75,000 director of nursing . Among Benson . “There’s a reason Plant Fund 382,850 her duties is the training of I ended up wanting to get Total Unrestricted Net Assets 531,729 nursing assistants . into this field and for what A single mother with three happened to Bertha Even- Temporarily Restricted Net Assets 2,277,619 Permanently Restricted Net Assets 10,046,362 pre-teen and teenage chil- son . I think it’s great that her dren, Benson recognizes the family used a tragedy to help Total Net Assets 12,855,710 impact the scholarship has other people . It has definitely had on her family and her made a difference in my life .” Total Liabilities and Net Assets $13,698,936

future . She is paying for her own education, so the grant makes this year’s education

26 Bemidji State University Foundation ANNUAL REPORT ANNUAL REPORT Bemidji State University Foundation 27 ALife-changing egacy Opportunities and a legacy professionally . It gave me – those were EvaL Lind’s hope confidence and motivation .” for the BSU scholarships that Prior to the convention, he would be established in her attended meetings to learn family’s name following her about the operation of the death . In 1998, her expec- political event and covered tation was expressed in the protests for Denver’s ABC form of the largest gift, over affiliate KMGH-TV, shoot- $409,000, ever given by an ing video and blogging on individual to help BSU stu- their website . He also fina- Eva Lind dents achieve their academic gled press credentials to hear goals . Since then, the Lind former President Bill Clinton scholarships in elementary address the delegates, see Joe education, mass communica- Biden accept the vice presi- “This was a life-changing experience. tion, and visual arts are pre- dential nomination, and watch sented each year . When I was notified about the schol- the eventual party nominee, arship, I remember asking my family, Joshua Christensen, one of 15 Barack Obama, make a sur- undergraduates who received prise appearance . a 2008-09 Roy and Eva Lind ‘What if this changes everything?’ and Those experiences fit well Scholarship, fully understands I think it has. This was about being a into Christensen’s career the opportunity he’s been aspirations, which include a given . professional, especially since I was able dream job covering the politi- to do fieldwork in the media. It affected The Department of Mass cal beat as a TV journalist in Communication set aside one Washington, DC . He fully me personally and professionally. It gave award this year to fund a stu- understands that he needs me confidence and motivation.” dent who would work at the to earn this type of assign- 2008 Democratic National Joshua Christensen ment by starting in a small Convention in Denver . A market, gaining experience senior from Ramsey, with as a reporter, and working his majors in both mass commu- way through the system . nication and political science, He started building his pro- Christensen earned the schol- fessional base in Bemidji . In arship through a competitive the three years since transfer- selection process . ring to campus from Anoka “This was a life-changing Ramsey Community Col- experience,” Christensen says . lege, he has volunteered and “When I was notified about worked at Lakeland Public the scholarship, I remem- Television . At the station, he ber asking my family, ‘What has shot video, created news if this changes everything?’ packages, conducted inter- and I think it has . This was views, and performed behind- about being a professional, the-scenes jobs . For campus especially since I was able to station KBSU-TV, he staffs do fieldwork in the media . It the master control console for affected me personally and hockey broadcasts and pro- vides on-air talent for basket- ball games .

28 Bemidji State University Foundation ANNUAL REPORT ANNUAL REPORT Bemidji State University Foundation 29 egacy Growth of Foundation Assets

Fulfilling the opportunity ing for 38 years . After retir- 16,000,000 L component of Eva Lind’s ing, the couple returned to $13,698,936 14,000,000 vision, Christensen is now Minnesota . Roy, who died in beginning to carry out the 1996, and Eva created the gift 12,000,000 expectation part of the for- to the University as part of the 10,000,000 mula as one of 220 students dispensation of their estate . $8,789,337 8,000,000 receiving a Lind scholarship “I would thank her and her $6,402,340 in the past decade . These husband, with all my heart for 6,000,000 “Lind alumni” are teaching giving me this once-in-a-life- 4,000,000 fourth graders, writing news time experience and giving $2,832,983 stories, and creating ceram- other students their oppor- 2,000,000 ics . They also are early child- tunities as well,” Christensen 0 hood educators, public rela- mentions when asked what 1993 1998 2003 2008 tions specialists, and studio he might say to the Linds if photographers . They work they were alive today . “It will in clinics, ad agencies, and help my career to say I got Growth of Endowed Funds university systems . the scholarship to work at The recipients are working the convention and that will 14,000,000 in communities in three for- create more opportunities in 12,000,000 $11,229,630 eign countries and 14 states, the future .” 10,000,000 from Soldotna, AK, to Coral It also completes the equation Gables, FL, and from Bur- the Linds envisioned when 8,000,000 $7,167,010 bank, CA, to Leesville, SC . establishing their endow- 6,000,000 The majority remain in Min- ment: opportunities + expec- $4,837,680 nesota, living in cities from tations = legacies . 4,000,000 Alexandria to Zimmerman . $2,517,017 2,000,000 Eva was born and raised near Bagley in a family originally 0 1993 1998 2003 2008 from Sweden . She graduated from Bemidji State in 1928 and taught on the Iron Range for a few years before moving BSU Foundation west . She married Roy, a car- Scholarship Dollars Provided penter, in Great Falls, MT, where she continued teach- 800,000 $773,555 700,000 $670,127 600,000

500,000

400,000

300,000 $303,308

200,000

100,000 $112,619

0 1993 1998 2003 2008

28 Bemidji State University Foundation ANNUAL REPORT ANNUAL REPORT Bemidji State University Foundation 29 1500 Birchmont Drive NE Bemidji, MN 56601-2699

Campus alendar ADMISSIONS Campus Preview January 1 Summer Session Class Schedule On Line Friday, January 23 January 12 SpringC Semester Classes Begin Friday, January 30 February 6 Summer Session Class Schedule Available in Print Monday, February 2 - Transfer Preview Day March 2 Summer School Registration Begins Friday, February 15 March 12-13 Early Childhood Mega Conference Monday, March 16 March 20-21; March 27-29 Spring Musical, "Cabaret" Friday, April 3 April 8 Student Scholarship and Creative Achievement Conference Monday, April 20 - Junior Preview Day May 8 Commencement Academic Advising and Registration FRESHMEN (Fridays) TRANSFER STUDENTS (Fridays) March 20 April 3 March 27 May 15 January 31 April 17 June 19 Featuring Jazz I and vocalists April 24 July 24 For More Details - 218-755-2915 June 26 Keep updated on BSU events. Go to “Events Calendar” at www.bemidjistate.edu